Social Wrighty's Player Agent Game

[Naumaifooty]

@Naumaifooty

Great lineup loaded with x-factor. You simply needs to have Ponga in the team. Put him on a wing.

Him, Walsh, SBW and Marshall make you a real contender.

You outbid me on many of these players

Yeah I missed out on a few I really wanted and had to settle. Inglis being one and burgess the other.
Was Smith and Thurston always your plan?

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Yeah I missed out on a few I really wanted and had to settle. Inglis being one and burgess the other.
Was Smith and Thurston always your plan?

Smith was the plan but Thurston came first which put me in a predicament. I thought Smith would be approx $4m and switched that to Thurston.

I had to go Thurston in case I missed Smith then had to get Smith which I got extended out to $5m, investing way to much but managed to get a good support crew around them.

 

[Naumaifooty]

Kia ora Naumai

****WRIGHTY's CONSULTANT REPORT****

Firstly the two suggestions I have I am only 60% sure of. They are questions for you to think about and mull over rather than firm recommendations. Please apply your mind to them and you decide if you agree or not.

1) Craig Fitzgibbon is presently your prop and he did play there 3 times at SOO level. Yet the vast majority of his playing career was at second row (200 times) or Lock (94 times). Does it make sense to put Lindsay Collins back to prop, Fitzgibbon to Lock and Radley sub off the bench? i get the feeling you have been wrestling with the formation of your pack so maybe give it some thought? I think Radley was elite in his prime but hasn't been this year and his recent form more suits him to a bench role.

2) Kalyn Ponga and what to do with him? I think you will lose points by having him on your bench. You already have Dearden on your bench, and two backs is unbalanced,. Furthermore, Kalyn is so good that people may be concerned he is on the bench and mark you down. However there is no where for him to go in the spine as you are set there.
My suggestion is to play him at wing ahead of Jason Saab. Kalyn has played three NRL games at wing and he is a full back so should be able to handle playing wing. Put Jason Saab out of your 17 and move Paseka to your bench. I like the idea of Dearden at 14 on your bench and then the three forwards: 14 Dearden 15 RCG 16 Radley 17 Paskeka sounds like a more forward dominant and powerful bench that our man Blocker Roach would approve of.
Alternatively if you want to keep Ponga on the bench then I think Dearden goes to 18th man and Paseka comes on to the bench to give you that three forward rotation off the bench. In which case put Ponga in the 14 jersey.

Thoughts?

Wrighty

Cheers for your advice @Wrighty

I was a bit iffy on the bench as well but I think my middles all play big enough minutes for me to allow the 2 utilities on the bench. And I think Kalyn would be a defensive liability on the wing and “apparently” I already have enough of those plus I have more faith in Jason Saab being the bigger body defending some of the other wings in the comp and he also has the sort of speed you can’t teach pair that with all the offloading and line breaking ability my team has I think having his speed will turn half chances into points.

Once again bro thanks for organising the game again this year it’s been a good laugh the Hodges element has probably made it the best one so far.

 

[Wrighty]

Cheers for your advice @Wrighty

I was a bit iffy on the bench as well but I think my middles all play big enough minutes for me to allow the 2 utilities on the bench. And I think Kalyn would be a defensive liability on the wing and “apparently” I already have enough of those plus I have more faith in Jason Saab being the bigger body defending some of the other wings in the comp and he also has the sort of speed you can’t teach pair that with all the offloading and line breaking ability my team has I think having his speed will turn half chances into points.

Once again bro thanks for organising the game again this year it’s been a good laugh the Hodges element has probably made it the best one so far.

Thanks very much for playing Naumai you were gracious and a pleasure.

 

[Naumaifooty]

Smith was the plan but Thurston came first which put me in a predicament. I thought Smith would be approx $4m and switched that to Thurston.

I had to go Thurston in case I missed Smith then had to get Smith which I got extended out to $5m, investing way to much but managed to get a good support crew around them.

Yeah fuck you actually put a not bad roster together considering how top heavy your salary cap was and how much Hodges took in the divorce I’ve seen Jarryd Hayne carry worst teams than yours. And the fact you got Cam and J.T pulling the strings who knows?

 

[Ryno 2.0]

Ok team posted.

Has been a blast, thanks so much to @Wrighty and @Chris Hodges for moderating and giving us alot of enterainment. Think I learnt a bit for the next game, made some mistakes and my earlier strategies with down prioritizing centers and wingers bit me in the end.

Looking forward to the vote, and the next off season game!

 

[Wrighty]

Ok team posted.

Has been a blast, thanks so much to @Wrighty and @Chris Hodges for moderating and giving us alot of enterainment. Think I learnt a bit for the next game, made some mistakes and my earlier strategies with down prioritizing centers and wingers bit me in the end.

Looking forward to the vote, and the next off season game!

Thanks very much for the kind words Ryno. Has been a pleasure to play with you. Good Luck for the voting.

 

[Wrighty]

All Eight teams have posted in the voting thread and it is now open for voting.
Take your time thinking about the teams and who you will vote for as every vote is important.

 

[Chris Hodges]

@Ryno 2.0
Thanks for updating your team. I have a few questions regarding your team.

1) You have a glaring problem and it starts with Centre and ends with Menzies. Can you explain why you chose Menzies to be a centre for you, considering he was a legendary backrower. He will be rated as a centre as part of this game for your team. He has played only a handful of games in that position at NRL level. Can you please explain the thought process of selecting him?
2) Ali was an offload king. Would his offloading ability work well within your teams setup? Would he still be 'the michael jordan of rugby league'? I have doubts.
3) If Api goes down, what is your hooker cover? What positional switches would you make?
4) Your spine is quality, and GI and Folau bring a lot of threat. Can you share some insight into the gameplan your team will revolve around?
5) What would you rate your bench considering it would be against the best in the NRL era out of 10?

Thanks and some great names in your team, just the menzies selection at centre is very perplexing

 

[Ryno 2.0]

I actually would homage vot

@Ryno 2.0
Thanks for updating your team. I have a few questions regarding your team.

1) You have a glaring problem and it starts with Centre and ends with Menzies. Can you explain why you chose Menzies to be a centre for you, considering he was a legendary backrower. He will be rated as a centre as part of this game for your team. He has played only a handful of games in that position at NRL level. Can you please explain the thought process of selecting him?
2) Ali was an offload king. Would his offloading ability work well within your teams setup? Would he still be 'the michael jordan of rugby league'? I have doubts.
3) If Api goes down, what is your hooker cover? What positional switches would you make?
4) Your spine is quality, and GI and Folau bring a lot of threat. Can you share some insight into the gameplan your team will revolve around?
5) What would you rate your bench considering it would be against the best in the NRL era out of 10?

Thanks and some great names in your team, just the menzies selection at centre is very perplexing

1) So I messed up with recruiting outside backs, I had a strategy not to pay overs for them trying to limit max 300k early on but I got crunched towards the end. The main reason of putting Menzies in the center instead of say Strange was more game play and narrative. I thought I could set up a defensive edge and a strike edge.
2) I think you will see a lot more of Ali breaking the line than offloads with this team, due to the space that Api, Johns would give him and the fact Inglis is outside of him. We would also do more cut back moves to Ali, who can then offload in traffic if its on. This will also to give more space for Inglis.
3) If Api goes down, then Foran to Hooker and Strange to 6 (I also hate lots of positional changes in the spine from the bench, so I would give myself a down vote here).
4) Api will be dangerous behind Fifita and Tino, Johns to control field position with long kicking game, load up on the right side with sweeping plays out the left. Preston there to add some unstructured flair from the back. If nothing is on then bomb to Folau on the right side.
5) Would rate them a 5/10 Leota and Whyte can hold their own, I think in a couple of years Strange will also prove hes an origin level player. Su'a would be the weaker part of the bench.

 

[Chris Hodges]

PLAYER AGENT GAME
ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT SIMULATION
All Players At Their Career Peak

Every player performing at their absolute best, in their assigned positions. The legends of the NRL era face off in a fantasy showdown.​

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BREAKING NEWS: DEFENCE'S DESTROYERS FORFEIT

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS:
Defence's Destroyers have been ruled ineligible for all tournament matches after failing to submit their official team list by the deadline. Despite having Billy Slater (3x Clive Churchill Medallist), Brad Fittler, Cameron Munster, and James Fisher-Harris on roster, the team will record 0-7 forfeit losses.

When reached for comment, Defence stated: "I thought 'submitting a team list' was optional. Like submitting homework."

All teams will receive automatic wins against Defence's Destroyers. Points for/against will be recorded as 28-0 forfeits.

Ironically, Defence almost quit earlier during the goal kicker controversy when Wrighty questioned his selection of Kotoni Staggs. After Mr. Brownstone reminded everyone "this is just meant to be a bit of fun - the rules should guide us, not trip us up," Defence stayed. Only to trip himself up at the finish line.

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TEAM PROFILES & ANALYSIS

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1. TERRITORIAL MONSTERS
Manager: Cces

1. Tom Trbojevic       9. Harry Grant        14. Craig Gower
2. Brian To'o         10. Sam Burgess        15. Josh Papalii
3. Ryan Girdler       11. Viliame Kikau      16. Scott Sorensen
4. Justin Hodges      12. Gordon Tallis      17. Simon Mannering
5. Xavier Coates      13. Ben Kennedy
6. Trent Barrett
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Payne Haas

STRENGTHS:
- Tom Trbojevic at fullback - when fit, a devastating attacking threat
- Brian To'o - Origin winger, powerful ball runner
- Payne Haas - Origin regular from age 20, powerful ball runner
- Gordon Tallis - The Raging Bull in his prime was terrifying
- Ben Kennedy - complete lock forward, could do everything
- Harry Grant - electric speed and game awareness from dummy half
- Sam Burgess paid $1.41M in the auction - Cces backed him heavily
- Simon Mannering's quiet class off the bench
- The "Anaconda" strategy - suffocating defensive pressure

WEAKNESSES:
- Trent Barrett at 6 - Dally M winner but not a genuine game-breaker
- Adam Reynolds lacks legs to run - needs protection from his forward pack
- Ryan Girdler at centre - more of a five-eighth in his playing days

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: "Vanilla" Halves Pairing - Barrett and Reynolds seem uninspiring?
Cces: "Counter-punch. Field position dominance keeps halves fresh. Reynolds scored 7 tries in 17 games during championship years. Barrett won Dally M Player of the Year. They don't need to be flashy when the forwards are doing THIS." *gestures at Haas, Tallis, Kennedy*

Q: Team Playing Style?
Cces: "Pressure like an Anaconda. We don't beat teams - we suffocate them. Front-foot ball, quality ball carriers, no trick plays needed."

VERDICT: A balanced roster. Cces built methodically while others splashed cash on superstars. If Turbo stays fit, they're a genuine contender.

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2. UNCIVIL WARRIORS
Manager: Mr. Brownstone

1. James Tedesco       9. Damian Cook        14. Brett Kimmorley
2. Daniel Tupou       10. Joseph Tapine      15. Greg Bird
3. Latrell Mitchell   11. Nathan Hindmarsh   16. Xavier Willison
4. Bradman Best       12. Eliesa Katoa       17. Keaon Koloamatangi
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 13. Isaah Yeo
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Adrian Morley

STRENGTHS:
- Lockyer-Cronk halves combination - two premiership-winning halfbacks together. Mr. Brownstone paid $3.35M for Lockyer alone.
- Quality spine with Tedesco, Lockyer, Cronk, Cook
- Latrell Mitchell at left centre - unstoppable in attack when motivated
- RTS on the wing brings finishing and support play
- Greg Bird secured for $1.12M in Round 12 - perfect bench addition
- Keaon Koloamatangi - standout 2025 season transformed this team's forward depth

WEAKNESSES:
- Daniel Tupou lacks strike compared to other wingers (though Mr. Brownstone would point out his 168 metres per game in 2024)
- Hindmarsh at 11 is more workhorse than impact player

MR. BROWNSTONE'S HOT TAKE:

"Before anyone asks about goal-kicking - my team will be so good we will win it in tries anyway. Lockyer-Cronk is a formidable combination. And for the LAST TIME, I'm over the 5K bidding issues. OVER IT. Move on. Only Ryno is allowed to overbid it seems. But yeah i am DONE. "

*Five minutes later*

"Although if we're being HONEST, the 5K over bid rejection was FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. I could have had Herbie if not for that ridiculous..."

*Mr. Brownstone was escorted from the press conference*

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q(from the peanut gallery): Adrian Morley seems a confusing forward option based on his NRL career?
Mr. Brownstone: "Oh, so Morley's not up to standard? Better than Dan Saifiti and Jordan McLean?" *dripping sarcasm* "Morley was a WRECKING BALL. Ask anyone who played against him. The NRL stats don't tell the full story."

Q: Defending Tupou and Willison selections?
Mr. Brownstone: "Tupou ran 168 metres per game in 2024. He's the 4th all-time try scorer - 21 tries last year! Willison performed in the 2025 Grand Final against Payne Haas. These are FACTS. Not opinions. FACTS. Unlike the 5K overbid which was FUNDAMENTALLY..." *mic cut*

VERDICT: Lockyer-Cronk makes this team a genuine title contender. Just don't mention the 5K thing.

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3. APEX PREDATORS
Manager: Naumaifooty

1. Reece Walsh          9. Craig Wing         14. Tom Dearden
2. Jason Saab          10. Jesse Bromwich     15. Regan Campbell Gillard
3. Mark Gasnier        11. Sonny Bill Williams 16. Lindsay Collins
4. Joseph Manu         12. Angus Crichton     17. Kalyn Ponga
5. Valentine Holmes    13. Victor Radley
6. Benji Marshall
7. Daly Cherry Evans
8. Craig Fitzgibbon

STRENGTHS:
- Reece Walsh at his peak - 2025 premiership hero, Australian fullback. Paid $1.95M in the auction.
- Walsh + Kalyn Ponga dual playmaker threat is devastating, but carrying two fullbacks might be too light.
- Sonny Bill Williams - $2.78M was steep but his offload game creates chaos
- Joseph Manu at centre - strong defender and strike runner
- Valentine Holmes - proven Origin and international performer
- Benji Marshall's magic in his prime years

WEAKNESSES:
- Craig Wing at hooker - undersized for the modern game and better suited at utility.
- Craig Fitzgibbon at prop - different era, struggled against modern athletes
- Front row lacks genuine impact - Jesse Bromwich at $1.24M was "the immortal" according to Naumaifooty, but inflation concerns remain
- Jason Saab - finisher but defensive concerns persist
- Too many playmakers wanting the ball

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: Is DCE at halfback your biggest concern?
Naumaifooty: "Concern? DCE has won a premiership! Besides, when you have Walsh doing what Walsh does, the halfback just needs to put the ball in his hands. Which DCE does well."

Q: That sounds like you're admitting Walsh carries the team?
Naumaifooty: "Walsh IS the team. That's not a weakness - that's a strategy. Great players make everyone around them better. JT did it. Walsh does it. Next question."

VERDICT: Built around Reece Walsh. He changes everything. But can one man beat a perfectly balanced squad?

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4. GUS'S WIZARDS
Manager: wizard of Tauranga

1. Karmichael Hunt      9. Cameron Smith      14. Kurt Capewell
2. Zac Lomax           10. Daniel Saifiti     15. Spencer Leniu
3. Stephen Crichton    11. Corey Parker       16. Leka Halasima
4. Clinton Toopi       12. Isaiah Papali'i    17. Jordan McLean
5. Jamayne Isaako      13. Erin Clarke
6. Ezra Mam
7. Jonathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott

STRENGTHS:
- Cameron Smith at hooker - $5,000,000 - The GOAT. Wizard went all-in.
- Jonathan Thurston at halfback - $4,000,000 - Round 1 shock bid that set the tone for the entire auction
- Smith-Thurston together is "essentially cheating" according to Wizard himself
- Stephen Crichton at centre - four Dally M awards by age 25 (even though all awards werent at Centre)
- Kurt Capewell's versatility eliminates hooker cover concerns
- Zac Lomax at $250K - praised as excellent value by everyone
- Spencer Leniu at $280K for devastating impact (despite ethical concerns)
- JT, Mam and Leniu as teammates, could cause havoc for team harmony

WEAKNESSES:
- Karmichael Hunt at fullback - "Prime Karmichael was something else" but never quite became what he could have been had it not been the lure of AFL and...Coke
- Clinton Toopi at centre - questionable against modern systems
- Spent $650K in penalties to Chris Hodges while others received bonuses
- "The most fun I've had all year" but perhaps too aggressive on spending

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: Is that the same Karmichael Hunt that lost the FB position to Motu Tony?
wizard of Tauranga: "Mate, he wasn't even 20 then. Prime Karmichael was something else - Queensland and Australian rep, could have been anything."

Q: But he never was 'anything' was he?
wizard of Tauranga: "Cameron Smith thinks he's great. JT thinks he's great. That's good enough for me. Next question."

Q: Spencer Leniu "represents the values we're trying to install"?
wizard of Tauranga: "Oh, is that right? Well maybe we should get Matt Lodge to speak about ethics and overcoming adversity." *knowing smirk at Wrighty*

AUCTION NOTE: Wizard's aggressive $10M spend in early rounds was either genius or madness. His projection for his team: "Wizards win 24-20" against Mr. Brownstone's squad.

VERDICT: Cameron Smith + JT is terrifying. But $650K in Hodges Agency penalties hurt, and Hunt at fullback could be exploited.

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5. MUDDOGZ XIII
Manager: Muddogz

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen    9. Danny Buderus      14. Marty Taupau
2. Radradra           10. Petero Civoniceva  15. Junior Paulo
3. Nigel Vagana       11. Josh Curran        16. Liam Henry
4. Darius Boyd        12. Briton Nikora      17. Jack Wighton
5. Manu Vatuvei       13. Mitch Barnett
6. Shaun Johnson
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Addin Fonua-Blake

STRENGTHS:
- Nathan Cleary at halfback - premiership-winning halfback, quality kicking game
- Danny Buderus at $1.25M - ironman hooker, incredible motor
- Addin Fonua-Blake and Junior Paulo - devastating prop rotation
- Radradra on the wing - unstoppable in broken field. Received $300K contract enhancement from Hodges.
- Shaun Johnson's magic on his day - Cleary at 7, SJ at 6 after the typo correction
- Petero Civoniceva brings Origin intensity
- Ryan Papenhuyzen's electric speed

WEAKNESSES:
- Massive salary cap investment in halves (Cleary/Johnson)
- Darius Boyd at centre - defensive liability even in his prime. Requires psychologist investment.
- Nigel Vagana - solid but limited
- Mitch Barnett at lock - limited ball-playing ability
- Curran at second row - meh
- Liam Henry provides bench... depth

VERDICT: Built around Nathan Cleary and it shows. The halves are lethal, but can the edges hold up?

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6. WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE
Manager: Warriors55

1. Brett Stewart       9. Isaac Luke         14. Ben Hunt
2. Anthony Minnichello 10. Ruben Wiki        15. Liam Martin
3. Casey McLean       11. Luke Lewis         16. Terrell May
4. Brent Tate         12. David Fifita       17. Cameron Murray
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo   13. Jason Taumalolo
6. Todd Carney
7. Stacey Jones
8. Shane Webcke

STRENGTHS:
- Stacey Jones - The Little General. Chris Hodges imposed a Stacey Jones challenge requiring Warriors55 to recruit a player Jones coached or played with.
- Brett Stewart at $900K - secured in Round 12
- Casey McLean - outstanding 2025 season, Origin-quality defence
- Jason Taumalolo at lock - freakish size and speed
- David Fifita's freakish ability on the left edge, if he can be motivated
- Ben Hunt provides utility off bench
- Shane Webcke and Ruben Wiki - old school brutality up front
- Cameron Murray adds class and ball-playing

WEAKNESSES:
- Brett Stewart at fullback - great finisher but defensive concerns
- Isaac Luke's discipline can be costly as can be his fitness
- Warriors55's close call in the auction - bid on Andrew Fifita with only one minute to spare before the 5:15 PM cutoff

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: How do you rate Carney's goal kicking?
Warriors55: "He averaged 78% over his career which is the same as Jonathan Thurston. I don't see how that is a potential weakness?"

Q: The Stacey Jones challenge from Hodges - how did you handle it?
Warriors55: "Pleasure doing business with you, as they say. The Little General delivers."

VERDICT: The forward pack is brutal. Stacey Jones and Taumalolo form a formidable spine. This team can bully anyone.

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7. STARFORD'S STARS
Manager: Wrighty

1. Jarryd Hayne        9. Robbie Farah       14. Cameron McInnes
2. Hamiso Tabuai Fidow 10. Steve Price       15. Starford To'a (C)
3. Jamie Lyon         11. Willie Mason       16. Jack Hetherington
4. Matt Timoko        12. Brad Thorn         17. Matt Lodge
5. Josh Addo-Carr     13. Tonie Carroll
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Moses

STRENGTHS:
- Jarryd Hayne at fullback - Prime Hayne was electrifying. Genuine superstar.
- Josh Addo-Carr - fastest man in rugby league
- Brad Thorn - the ultimate professional, brought unmatched physicality. Brings AB playbook
- Moses-Maloney halves combination has plenty of points in them
- Robbie Farah's craftiness at dummy half
- Jamie Lyon - premiership winner, lethal goal kicker

WEAKNESSES:
- THE UNDISCIPLINED FIREBRANDS: Matt Lodge ($200K - ethics questioned), Jack Hetherington, and Willie Mason on the same bench. A red card waiting to happen.
- THE BENCHED CAPTAIN FARCE: Starford To'a named captain with zero leadership experience... and he's benched. Legends like Steve Price (3x Dally M Captain of the Year) and Jamie Lyon (2x winner) relegated to vice-captain roles under an unproven player? This smells like favouritism.
- Matt Timoko at centre - Hodges noted he's "amongst the lower tier when it comes to defence for centers" despite Wrighty citing 149-159 metres per game
- No genuine lock - Tonie Carroll is undersized and may not be suited for modern era
- Wrighty admitted being "a real underdog to win this as I don't know the players on that list of 69"

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: Why is a captain benched alongside fringe NRL players?
Wrighty: "First of all, Starford is an NRL standard centre offering utility flexibility. And my vice-captains hold field leadership - Steve Price won the Dally M captain of the year award THREE times. Jamie Lyon won it TWO times."

Q: What exact leadership qualities has Starford ever shown?
Wrighty: "I picked him as captain as he is my favourite player... this is an NRL fantasy game. Ideally your captain should be in your starting 13 but..."

Q: Why would legends like Price and Lyon accept vice-captain roles to an unproven captain?
Wrighty: *silence*

Q: It's concerning that you consider Timoko to be defensively strong?
Wrighty: "I deliberately drafted two specialist centres and moved Hamiso to the wing recognizing defensive needs."

Q: Can Tonie Carroll bodyguard both Moses and Maloney?
Wrighty: "Tonie can bodyguard Moses and Mason can bodyguard Maloney since they are on the same edge. It's all mapped out. Trust the process."

Q: Matt Lodge, Jack Hetherington, and Willie Mason on the same team - is that wise?
Wrighty: "Every champion must overcome adversity - think of it as a challenge to overcome."

VERDICT: High ceiling with Hayne and JAC providing strike. But the undisciplined firebrands on the bench, a benched captain with no leadership credentials, and favouritism over football smarts could sink this ship.

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8. NORTHERN RYNOS
Manager: Ryno 2.0

1. Preston Campbell     9. Api Koroisau       14. Ethan Strange
2. Dane Gagai          10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 15. Naufahu Whyte
3. Greg Inglis         11. Ali Lauiti'iti     16. Moses Leota
4. Steve Menzies       12. Paul Gallen (C)    17. Jayden Su'a
5. Israel Folau        13. Jake Trbojevic
6. Kieran Foran
7. Andrew Johns (GK)
8. Andrew Fifita

STRENGTHS:
- Andrew Johns at halfback - Newcastle legend, Immortal. Genuine superstar acquisition.
- Greg Inglis at centre - Origin legend, unstoppable in attack
- Israel Folau on the wing - aerial dominance, finishing ability
- Paul Gallen (C) - NSW legend. Chris Hodges offered a cash injection for anyone who made him captain.
- Api Koroisau at hooker - premiership-winning dummy half
- Jake Trbojevic at lock - Origin workhorse, incredible motor
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - proven Origin prop with immense potential
- Naufahu Whyte - NZ International - no longer fringe after 2025 performances, genuine quality

WEAKNESSES:
- Preston Campbell at fullback - quality player but undersized for modern game, but can turn it on
- Steve Menzies at centre - legendary back-rower playing out of position
- Ali Lauiti'iti at second row - different era, may struggle against modern athletes

CHRIS HODGES Q&A:

Q: Andrew Johns at halfback - that's a game-changer?
Ryno 2.0: "Joey is an Immortal. Kieran Foran beside him, Greg Inglis and Folau outside. This spine is lethal."


Q: Gallen as captain - taking the Hodges bonus?
Ryno 2.0: "Gal was always going to be captain. NSW legend. The bonus is just gravy."

Q: What would you rate your bench out of 10?
Ryno 2.0: "7/10 easily. Ethan Strange is Origin quality. Whyte is NZ International. Leota and Su'a provide impact. This bench has genuine depth."

VERDICT: Andrew Johns changes everything. GI and Folau provide strike. Gallen and Jake Trbojevic bring Origin intensity. This team is a genuine contender - not the wooden spooner people expected. Bench has depth but enough to compete against NRL legends?

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9. DEFENCE'S DESTROYERS - FORFEIT
Manager: Defence

1. Billy Slater         9. Brandon Smith      14. Nicho Hynes
2. Lote Tuqiri         10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona  15. Siosiua Taukeiaho
3. Kotoni Staggs       11. Hudson Young       16. Haumole Olakau'atu
4. Brad Fittler        12. Jeremiah Nanai     17. Tony Williams
5. Wendell Sailor      13. Patrick Carrigan
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. James Fisher-Harris

WOULD HAVE BEEN STRENGTHS:
- Billy Slater - 3x Clive Churchill Medallist, revolutionary fullback. Muddogz paid $2.3M+ in the auction wars for him before Defence sniped.
- Brad Fittler at centre - won premierships as a teenager AND in his 30s. Paid $1.25M for the legend.
- Cameron Munster - Clive Churchill Medallist, game-breaker
- James Fisher-Harris at $600K - Kiwi international, premiership-winning prop
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona - devastating impact off bench
- Kotoni Staggs - the goal kicker controversy centrepiece. Wrighty initially rejected the selection before apologizing: "Pulling the rug out at the last minute was not good."

FATAL WEAKNESSES:
- Jahrome Hughes at halfback - good organiser but not a playmaker when it matters
- DID NOT SUBMIT TEAM LIST - FORFEITS ALL GAMES
- Slater-Hughes-Munster spine lacks a kicking game
- Herbie Farnworth not listed in finalised team list
- Tony Williams on the bench - the ultimate "what if" player

THE GOAL KICKER CONTROVERSY:

Defence selected Kotoni Staggs as goal kicker. Wrighty initially rejected the choice, demanding Defence play Hynes or return Farnworth for refund. Defence threatened to quit the game entirely.

Chris Hodges' solution: Rename Defence's team "Part Time GoalKickers" and charge $5K "advice fee to the Hodges Agency for good karma."

After community support (Cces, Ryno 2.0, Mr. Brownstone all backing Defence), Wrighty apologized: "Pulling the rug out at the last minute was not good."

Defence responded: "No hard feelings and readiness to proceed."

Then he forgot to submit the team list.

VERDICT: Incredible talent. Zero results. The irony of almost quitting over a rule dispute, only to forfeit by forgetting the most basic requirement. Maybe hes still got some water on his back.

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MEMORABLE AUCTION MOMENTS

Round 1: The Jonathan Thurston Bomb
Wizard of Tauranga shocked everyone by opening the auction with a $4,000,000 bid on Jonathan Thurston. The tone was set - this wasn't going to be a conservative draft.

Total Round 1 spending: $8,290,000

Wrighty: "I foolishly thought I could get Taumalolo for $500K so I bowed out early."

The Cameron Smith Package Deal
Wizard went even bigger: $5,000,000 for Cameron Smith. Chris Hodges then announced that Smith and Slater preferred playing together as a "package deal" - creating chaos in the auction.

Then the ego fees hit:
- Cameron Smith: $250K ego fee
- Matt Scott: $800K ego fee

wizard of Tauranga: "$250k this late in the game is like gold!"

The 5K Bidding Saga - Featuring Mr. Brownstone
The infamous 5K bidding increment system caused chaos throughout the auction. No one was more affected than Mr. Brownstone, who overbid by 5K for Herbie Farnworth and has NOT stopped complaining about it since.

Mr. Brownstone (Day 1): "The 5K system is fundamentally flawed. I overbid by 5K for Herbie Farnworth. FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. That could have gone towards Cameron Smith!"

Mr. Brownstone (Day 3): "You know what keeps me up at night? 5K. That's what. FIVE. THOUSAND. For Herbie bloody Farnworth."

Mr. Brownstone (Day 7): "I've moved on from the 5K thing. Completely over it. But IF we're talking about it, and I'm NOT saying we should, but IF we were... Farnworth better be worth it."

Mr. Brownstone (Grand Final Day): "Lockyer-Cronk. Could have been Lockyer-Cronk-SMITH if I hadn't overbid 5K on Farnworth..." *security intervenes*

Mr. Brownstone (Post-Tournament): "For the LAST TIME, I am DONE talking about the 5K overbid on Farnworth. DONE. It's OVER. Finished. Complete. Although..."

The Starford Toa Captain Controversy
Wrighty named Starford Toa as team captain - a player with zero leadership experience who he then proceeded to bench. When Chris Hodges asked "Why is a captain benched alongside fringe NRL players?", Wrighty deflected by pointing to his vice-captains.

The forums erupted: "So your captain watches from the bench while his deputies run the show?"

Wrighty's response: "Steve Price won Dally M captain of the year three times." despite not naming him as the captain and vice to a NRL regular at best, with no leadership credentials.

Then there's the bench: Lodge, Hetherington, Mason. Three of the most undisciplined players of the modern era, all on one team. Favouritism over football smarts.

The Infraction Drama
Mr. Brownstone accused the game of "massive hypocrisy" regarding bonus distribution. Wrighty's response? An official infraction.

Wrighty: "Every champion must overcome adversity - think of it as a challenge to overcome."

Mr. Brownstone: *fires back, exposing Wrighty's own unease about what transpired*

Chris Hodges' Chaos
Chris Hodges character created magnificent chaos throughout:

Chris Hodges: "Some not as much as others. Some may have $ implications, implications on next pick, some implications on where a player can play...failure to enact upon requests will not be looked upon favourably."

Chris Hodges on Defence: "I will be fair (except to defence)". Seemingly Wizards of Tauranga wasn't far from the ire of the world's greatest player manager either.

Chris Hodges' confession: "In hindsight I should have given you some cash but you were just being too annoying" - explaining why Wizard of Tauranga received $650K in penalties while others got bonuses

The Spencer Leniu Ethics Debate

Wrighty (sarcastically): "Spencer represents the values we're trying to install"

wizard of Tauranga: "Oh is that right? Well maybe we should get Matt Lodge to speak about ethics and overcoming adversity."

The One-Minute Snipe
Warriors55 bid on Andrew Fifita at $500K with only ONE MINUTE to spare before the 5:15 PM cutoff. Heart attack material.

Wizard's Self-Fine
To restore lighthearted spirit after tensions, Wizard joked about paying "$5k to fine himself for shooting my load early."

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Coming Soon : The teams face off...

 

[Chris Hodges]

PLAYER AGENT GAME
ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT SIMULATION
All Players At Their Career Peak

Every player performing at their absolute best. The legends of the NRL era face off in a fantasy showdown.​

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ROUND ROBIN RESULTS

Note: Defence's Destroyers forfeit all games 0-28. All teams receive automatic wins.

ROUND 1
BYE: Muddogz XIII

Match	Home	Score	Away
1	Territorial Monsters	32 - 24	Apex Predators
2	Uncivil Warriors	28 - 20	Warriors Strikeforce
3	Gus's Wizards	26 - 24	Northern Rynos
4	Starford's Stars	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers

MATCH 1: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 32 - APEX PREDATORS 24

The balanced squad vs the Walsh-built team. From the opening minutes, Territorial's forward pack established dominance.

Key Moments:
- 8' Tallis charges through SBW, offloads to Kennedy who scores first. Reynolds converts. 6-0
- 15' Walsh magic! Receives on his own 30m, beats Grant, scores under the posts. DCE converts. 6-6
- 22' Haas crashes over from dummy half after Territorial complete 8 straight sets. Reynolds converts. 12-6
- 28' Turbo intercepts a DCE pass, races 60m to score! 18-6
- 35' Walsh won't quit - grubbering for Holmes who scores. 18-12
- HT Territorial 18-12. Kennedy 142m, 24 tackles. Walsh 2 try assists but isolated.
- 48' Coates beats Saab on the wing. 24-12
- 55' Ponga scores from a Benji offload. 24-18
- 62' To'o powers through two tacklers. 30-18
- 72' Manu intercepts, scores. 30-24
- 78' Reynolds penalty goal seals it. 32-24

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (18'), Papalii on for Haas (32'), Mannering on for Kikau (55')
Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (15'), Dearden on for Wing (30'), RCG on for Bromwich (42')

Tries: Territorial - Kennedy, Haas, Turbo, Coates, To'o. Apex - Walsh, Holmes, Ponga, Manu
Player of Match: Ben Kennedy (Territorial) - 178m, 1 try, controlled the ruck

Cces post-match: "Anaconda defence. That's what wins games. Walsh is quality but he can't do it alone."

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MATCH 2: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 28 - WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 20

Lockyer-Cronk vs Stacey Jones. The battle of the playmakers.

Key Moments:
- 5' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco who dives on it. Lockyer converts. 6-0
- 12' Stacey Jones finds Taumalolo with a short ball. 267 metres incoming. 6-6
- 19' Cronk's 40/20 sets up Mitchell who powers over. 12-6
- 27' Fifita crashes over from close range. 12-12
- 35' RTS finishes brilliantly in the corner after Cronk's cut-out pass. 16-12
- HT Uncivil 16-12. Lockyer controlling the game. Stacey Jones frustrated by Cronk's kicking.
- 48' Katoa beats Luke Lewis on the edge. 22-12
- 58' Carney finds Stewart with a pinpoint kick. 22-18
- 68' Cook darts from dummy half after Lockyer's grubber. 28-18
- 76' Taumalolo consolation try. 28-20

Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (14'), Willison on for Tapine (28'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (38')
Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (20'), May on for Wiki (32'), Murray on for Webcke (48')

Tries: Uncivil - Tedesco, Mitchell, RTS, Katoa, Cook. Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Stewart
Player of Match: Cooper Cronk (Uncivil) - 2 try assists, perfect kicking game

Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Lockyer-Cronk. This is what quality halves look like. Could have been even better if... no, not mentioning it."

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CLASH OF IMMORTALS
MATCH 3: GUS'S WIZARDS 26 - NORTHERN RYNOS 24

JT and Cameron Smith vs Andrew Johns. Immortal vs Immortal!

Key Moments:
- 5' Johns spots Inglis short side - GI crashes over! 0-6
- 12' JT responds - grubbering for Crichton. 6-6
- 18' Johns magic! Steps Smith, finds Folau who rises highest! 6-12
- 25' Smith finds Mam with a dart. 12-12
- 32' JT grubbers for Lomax who scores. 18-12
- HT Wizards 18-12. JT vs Johns. Two Immortals trading blows.
- 48' Johns puts up a bomb, Folau rises over Isaako! 18-18
- 55' Gallen crashes over from dummy half. 18-24
- 65' JT won't quit - finds Crichton for his second! 24-24
- 78' JT drops a field goal... OVER! 26-24

Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (16'), McLean on for Scott (30'), Capewell on for Parker (48')
Substitutions - Rynos: Strange on for Lauiti'iti (18'), Whyte on for Leota (32'), Su'a on for Fifita (52')

Tries: Wizards - Crichton (2), Mam, Lomax. Rynos - Inglis, Folau (2), Gallen
Player of Match: Jonathan Thurston (Wizards) - 2 try assists, match-winning field goal

wizard of Tauranga post-match: "JT vs Johns. Two Immortals. Field goal was the difference. Essentially cheating to win."
Ryno 2.0 post-match: "Joey was incredible. GI and Folau were unstoppable. Lost by a field goal. We're coming."

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MATCH 4: STARFORD'S STARS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers fail to submit team list. 28-0 forfeit win.

Wrighty: "Free points. Can't argue with that. Although I'd have liked to test ourselves against Billy Slater."
Defence: *missed the message*

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ROUND 2
BYE: Warriors Strikeforce

Match	Home	Score	Away
5	Territorial Monsters	30 - 22	Uncivil Warriors
6	Apex Predators	30 - 28	Northern Rynos
7	Gus's Wizards	24 - 22	Starford's Stars
8	Muddogz XIII	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers

MATCH OF THE ROUND
MATCH 5: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30 - UNCIVIL WARRIORS 22

The biggest clash of the round robin. Anaconda vs Lockyer-Cronk.

Key Moments:
- 6' Tallis charges through Katoa - the edge battle begins! Offloads to Kennedy. 6-0
- 14' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco. The fullback delivers. 6-6
- 21' Haas crashes through Morley. The prop dominance is real. 12-6
- 29' Mitchell powers over despite Girdler's tackle. 12-12
- 36' Kennedy beats Yeo at lock - try assist to Turbo! 18-12
- HT Territorial 18-12. Tallis vs Katoa continues. Kennedy dominating Yeo.
- 45' Burgess crashes over from close range. 24-12
- 52' Cronk chips for RTS who scores brilliantly. 24-18
- 65' Grant darts from dummy half, beats Cook! 30-18
- 78' Katoa consolation try after Lockyer's cutout. 30-22

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (16'), Papalii on for Haas (28'), Gower on for Barrett (52')
Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (18'), Willison on for Tapine (32'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (45')

Tries: Territorial - Kennedy, Haas, Turbo, Burgess, Grant. Uncivil - Tedesco, Mitchell, RTS, Katoa
Player of Match: Gordon Tallis (Territorial) - 156m, dominated Katoa in every collision

Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Lost to the Anaconda. Tallis was incredible. Katoa couldn't handle him. Could have been different if not for... you know what, never mind. Not mentioning the 5K thing."
Cces post-match: "Kennedy, Tallis, Haas. That's what balance looks like. Even Lockyer-Cronk can't crack it."

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MATCH 6: APEX PREDATORS 30 - NORTHERN RYNOS 28

Walsh vs Andrew Johns. Two electric playmakers!

Key Moments:
- 4' Walsh receives deep, beats Campbell, scores! 6-0
- 12' Johns responds! Grubbering for Inglis who crashes over! 6-6
- 18' Walsh magic - finds Holmes on the wing. 12-6
- 25' Johns puts up a bomb, Folau rises highest! 12-12
- 32' Benji no-look pass to Manu. 18-12
- 38' Gallen crashes over from close range! 18-18
- HT Tied 18-18. Walsh vs Johns. Two playmakers going blow for blow.
- 48' Walsh again! Steps Koroisau, scores! 24-18
- 55' Jake Trbojevic crashes over from dummy half! 24-24
- 62' Ponga crashes over from fullback. 30-24
- 72' Johns finds Strange on the edge! 30-28
- 78' Johns field goal attempt... BLOCKED by Radley! Apex survive!

Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (14'), Dearden on for Wing (30'), RCG on for Bromwich (45')
Substitutions - Rynos: Strange on for Lauiti'iti (16'), Whyte on for Leota (32'), Su'a on for Fifita (48')

Tries: Apex - Walsh (2), Holmes, Manu, Ponga. Rynos - Inglis, Folau, Gallen, Trbojevic, Strange
Player of Match: Reece Walsh (Apex) - 2 tries, 1 try assist, just edged Johns

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh vs Johns. Two legends. We survived by 2 points!"
Ryno 2.0 post-match: "Joey was incredible. GI and Folau were quality. Lost by 2. Radley blocking that field goal..."

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MATCH 7: GUS'S WIZARDS 24 - STARFORD'S STARS 22

JT and Smith vs Hayne. A clash of legends.

Key Moments:
- 8' Hayne magic! Receives on his own 20m, beats two, scores under the posts! 0-6
- 15' JT spots Crichton unmarked. Centre crashes over. 6-6
- 22' Smith finds Mam on the short side. 12-6
- 28' JAC burns Lomax down the wing! Too fast. 12-12
- 35' WILLIE MASON SIN-BINNED! Late shot on Cameron Smith. First of many.
- 38' JT capitalises with a penalty goal. 14-12
- HT Wizards 14-12. Mason's discipline costing his team.
- 48' Hayne grubbering for Lyon who scores! 14-18
- 55' Isaako finishes in the corner. 20-18
- 68' Thorn crashes over from close range. 20-22
- 75' JT penalty goal after Hetherington penalty! 22-22
- 78' JT drops a field goal... OVER! 24-22

Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (16'), McLean on for Scott (32'), Capewell on for Parker (48')
Substitutions - Stars: McInnes on for Farah (20'), Hetherington on for Price (35'), Lodge on for Mason (45')

Disciplinary: Willie Mason sin-binned (35') - late shot on Smith

Tries: Wizards - Crichton, Mam, Isaako. Stars - Hayne (2), Lyon, Thorn
Player of Match: Jonathan Thurston (Wizards) - 2 try assists, match-winning field goal

Wrighty post-match: "Hayne was brilliant. But Mason's sin-bin cost us. One down, three to go apparently."
wizard of Tauranga post-match: "JT clutch. That field goal. Essentially cheating."

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MATCH 8: MUDDOGZ XIII WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers fail to appear. 28-0 forfeit win.

Muddogz: "Cleary and Johnson would have torn them apart anyway. But the points are nice."

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ROUND 3
BYE: Muddogz XIII

Match	Home	Score	Away
9	Territorial Monsters	28 - 26	Gus's Wizards
10	Uncivil Warriors	34 - 16	Apex Predators
11	Warriors Strikeforce	26 - 24	Starford's Stars
12	Northern Rynos	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers

MATCH 9: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 28 - GUS'S WIZARDS 26

Anaconda vs the $9M spine. A classic.

Key Moments:
- 5' JT spots Crichton short side. First blood to Wizards. 0-6
- 12' Tallis charges through Papali'i, offloads to Kennedy. 6-6
- 19' Smith finds Mam with a dart. The hooker is everywhere. 6-12
- 26' Turbo intercepts JT, races 70m! 12-12
- 33' Haas crashes over from close range. 18-12
- HT Territorial 18-12. Kennedy vs Clarke. Tallis vs Papali'i. Forward dominance.
- 48' JT won't quit - grubbering for Lomax. 18-18
- 55' Grant darts over from dummy half. 24-18
- 62' Smith finds Isaako in the corner. 24-24
- 72' Kennedy beats Clarke, crashes over! 28-24
- 78' JT penalty goal after Reynolds penalty. 28-26
- 80' Territorial hold on! JT's last attacking kick caught by Turbo.

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (14'), Papalii on for Haas (30'), Mannering on for Kikau (50')
Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (16'), McLean on for Scott (34'), Capewell on for Parker (52')

Tries: Territorial - Kennedy (2), Turbo, Haas, Grant. Wizards - Crichton, Mam, Lomax, Isaako
Player of Match: Ben Kennedy (Territorial) - 2 tries, dominated Erin Clarke

wizard of Tauranga post-match: "JT and Smith were incredible. Lost by 2. Kennedy was too strong. The forward pack made the difference."

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UPSET OF THE ROUND
MATCH 10: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 34 - APEX PREDATORS 16

Lockyer-Cronk DESTROYED Walsh!

Key Moments:
- 6' Lockyer reads Walsh's running line, intercepts! Scores under the posts! 6-0
- 14' Walsh responds - beats Cronk, scores! 6-6
- 22' Cronk's 40/20 sets up Mitchell who powers over. 12-6
- 28' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco. Too easy. 18-6
- 35' DCE error leads to Katoa try. 24-6
- HT Uncivil 24-6. Walsh double-teamed. DCE overwhelmed.
- 48' Walsh breaks through, offloads to Ponga. 24-12
- 55' Cronk chips for RTS. Brilliant finish. 30-12
- 68' Cook darts from dummy half. 34-12
- 78' Holmes consolation try. 34-16

Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (18'), Willison on for Tapine (32'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (45')
Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (15'), Dearden on for Wing (28'), RCG on for Bromwich (42')

Tries: Uncivil - Lockyer, Mitchell, Tedesco, Katoa, RTS, Cook. Apex - Walsh, Ponga, Holmes
Player of Match: Darren Lockyer (Uncivil) - 1 try, 3 assists, controlled Walsh

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh can't do it alone. Even JT had Lockyer. Walsh had DCE. They double-teamed him all game."
Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Lockyer-Cronk. THIS is why you pay for quality halves."

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MATCH 11: WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 26 - STARFORD'S STARS 24

Stacey Jones vs Moses-Maloney. The Little General delivers.

Key Moments:
- 7' Hayne opens the scoring - steps Luke, scores. 0-6
- 14' Stacey Jones finds Taumalolo with a short ball. 267m of destruction. 6-6
- 22' JAC burns Stewart down the wing. 6-12
- 28' Fifita crashes over from close range. 12-12
- 35' Moses chips for Lyon who scores. 12-18
- HT Stars 18-12. Moses controlling. But Taumalolo loading...
- 48' Taumalolo crashes through three tacklers! 18-18
- 55' JACK HETHERINGTON SENT OFF! Late shot on Taumalolo. Red card!
- 58' Stacey Jones capitalises - finds Stewart in space. 24-18
- 68' Hayne pulls one back despite being down a man. 24-22
- 75' Carney penalty goal seals it! 26-22
- 78' Thorn try disallowed for obstruction. 26-24 (Final try after the whistle)

Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (20'), May on for Wiki (32'), Murray on for Webcke (48')
Substitutions - Stars: McInnes on for Farah (18'), Lodge on for Mason (30'), To'a on for Timoko (55')

Disciplinary: Jack Hetherington SENT OFF (55') - late shot on Taumalolo

Tries: Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Stewart. Stars - Hayne (2), JAC, Lyon
Player of Match: Jason Taumalolo (Strikeforce) - 267m, 2 tries, dominated

Warriors55 post-match: "The Little General delivers. Stacey Jones controlled that second half."
Wrighty post-match: "Hetherington's red card. Mason's sin-bin last week. These undisciplined firebrands..."

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MATCH 12: NORTHERN RYNOS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers fail to appear. First genuine win for the Rynos.

Ryno 2.0: "I'll take it. Better than losing to Billy Slater anyway."

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ROUND 4
BYE: Starford's Stars

Match	Home	Score	Away
13	Territorial Monsters	34 - 20	Warriors Strikeforce
14	Uncivil Warriors	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers
15	Apex Predators	28 - 30	Muddogz XIII
16	Gus's Wizards	28 - 26	Northern Rynos

MATCH 13: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 34 - WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 20

Anaconda vs Taumalolo. 267 metres vs the suffocating defence.

Key Moments:
- 8' Taumalolo crashes through Burgess! First blood to Strikeforce. 0-6
- 15' Kennedy responds - beats Luke at lock, offloads to Turbo. 6-6
- 22' Haas and Tallis combine to stop Taumalolo on the line! Incredible defence!
- 28' Reynolds finds To'o with a pinpoint kick. 12-6
- 35' Fifita crashes over despite Kikau's tackle. 12-12
- HT Territorial 12-12. Taumalolo 143m at halftime. But contained.
- 48' Grant darts from dummy half, beats Luke! 18-12
- 55' Tallis charges through Fifita, scores under the posts! 24-12
- 62' Turbo intercepts Jones, races away! 30-12
- 72' Taumalolo won't quit - crashes over. 30-18
- 78' Reynolds penalty goal. Carney late try. 34-20

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (18'), Papalii on for Haas (30'), Mannering on for Kikau (52')
Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (20'), May on for Wiki (35'), Murray on for Webcke (50')

Tries: Territorial - Turbo (2), Kennedy, To'o, Grant, Tallis. Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Fifita, Carney
Player of Match: Harry Grant (Territorial) - 2 tries, brilliant from dummy half

Warriors55 post-match: "Taumalolo ran 267 metres. Still couldn't crack them. The Anaconda is real."

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MATCH 14: UNCIVIL WARRIORS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers missing again. 28-0 forfeit win.

Mr. Brownstone: "Free points. Would have been nice to test Lockyer-Cronk against Slater-Munster though. But I'll take the W."

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UPSET OF THE ROUND
MATCH 15: APEX PREDATORS 28 - MUDDOGZ XIII 30

Cleary's kicking masterclass outplays DCE!

Key Moments:
- 5' Walsh magic - beats Papenhuyzen, scores! 6-0
- 12' Cleary's 40/20 sets up Radradra who finishes. 6-6
- 19' Walsh grubbering for Holmes. 12-6
- 25' Cleary finds Johnson with a cutout - SJ scores! 12-12
- 32' Ponga crashes over from fullback. 18-12
- 38' Cleary penalty goal after DCE penalty. 18-14
- HT Apex 18-14. Walsh brilliant. But Cleary controlling territory.
- 48' Manu intercepts Cleary, races 50m! 24-14
- 55' Johnson finds Vatuvei who crashes over! The Beast! 24-20
- 62' Radradra burns Saab down the wing! 24-26
- 72' Benji magic - offload to Gasnier. 28-26
- 78' Cleary drops a field goal... OVER! 28-28
- 80' GOLDEN POINT - Cleary field goal! MUDDOGZ WIN! 28-30

Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (16'), Dearden on for Wing (32'), RCG on for Bromwich (48')
Substitutions - Muddogz: Taupau on for Civoniceva (18'), Paulo on for AFB (30'), Henry on for Curran (52')

Tries: Apex - Walsh, Holmes, Ponga, Manu, Gasnier. Muddogz - Radradra (2), Johnson, Vatuvei
Player of Match: Nathan Cleary (Muddogz) - 2 field goals, controlled the game in golden point

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh did everything. Lost to a field goal. Cleary's boot is something else."
Muddogz post-match: "Cleary in big moments. That's what premiership halfbacks do."

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REMATCH OF IMMORTALS
MATCH 16: GUS'S WIZARDS 28 - NORTHERN RYNOS 26

JT and Smith vs Johns again. Another classic!

Key Moments:
- 6' Johns opens - grubbering for Inglis! 0-6
- 14' JT responds - spots Crichton short side. 6-6
- 22' Folau rises highest from Johns' bomb! 6-12
- 28' Smith finds Mam with a dart. 12-12
- 35' JT grubbering for Lomax. 18-12
- HT Wizards 18-12. JT vs Johns again. Immortals trading blows.
- 48' Johns finds Gallen who crashes over! 18-18
- 55' Smith finds Isaako in the corner. 24-18
- 62' Jake Trbojevic crashes over from close range! 24-24
- 72' JT chips for Crichton who scores his second! 28-24
- 78' Strange scores from Johns' cutout! 28-26 Rynos need the conversion...
- 79' Johns from the sideline... MISSED! Wizards survive!

Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (16'), McLean on for Scott (32'), Capewell on for Parker (48')
Substitutions - Rynos: Strange on for Lauiti'iti (18'), Whyte on for Leota (32'), Su'a on for Fifita (48')

Tries: Wizards - Crichton (2), Mam, Lomax, Isaako. Rynos - Inglis, Folau, Gallen, Trbojevic, Strange
Player of Match: Andrew Johns (Rynos) - 3 try assists, brilliant in defeat

wizard of Tauranga post-match: "JT and Smith vs Johns. Barely survived AGAIN. Joey is incredible."
Ryno 2.0 post-match: "Joey missed from the sideline. We were right there. Two field goal losses to the Wizards. Brutal."

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ROUND 5
BYE: Starford's Stars

Match	Home	Score	Away
17	Territorial Monsters	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers
18	Uncivil Warriors	32 - 28	Muddogz XIII
19	Apex Predators	38 - 18	Gus's Wizards
20	Warriors Strikeforce	26 - 28	Northern Rynos

MATCH 17: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers. Again. 28-0 forfeit win.

Cces: "Would have loved to see Kennedy vs Fisher-Harris. But the perfect record continues."

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MATCH OF THE ROUND
MATCH 18: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 32 - MUDDOGZ XIII 28

Lockyer-Cronk vs Cleary-Johnson. Four quality halves. EPIC.

Key Moments:
- 5' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco. The big-game fullback delivers. 6-0
- 12' Cleary's 40/20 sets up Radradra. 6-6
- 18' Cronk chips for RTS who finishes brilliantly. 12-6
- 25' Johnson finds Papenhuyzen with a cutout - electric finish! 12-12
- 32' Mitchell powers over despite Boyd's tackle. 18-12
- 38' Cleary penalty goal. 18-14
- HT Uncivil 18-14. Four quality halves at their peak. Edge battle intense.
- 48' Lockyer reads Cleary, intercepts! Scores under posts! 24-14
- 55' Johnson grubbering for Vatuvei! The Beast! 24-20
- 62' Cronk finds Katoa on the edge. 30-20
- 72' Cleary finds Buderus from dummy half. 30-26
- 76' Lockyer penalty goal seals it. 32-26
- 79' Radradra consolation try. 32-28

Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (16'), Willison on for Tapine (30'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (48')
Substitutions - Muddogz: Taupau on for Civoniceva (18'), Paulo on for AFB (32'), Wighton on for Barnett (52')

Tries: Uncivil - Tedesco, RTS, Mitchell, Lockyer, Katoa. Muddogz - Radradra (2), Papenhuyzen, Vatuvei, Buderus
Player of Match: Darren Lockyer (Uncivil) - 1 try, 2 assists, 1 intercept, controlled the game

Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Beat Cleary. Lockyer's experience was the difference. Could have been easier if I'd had Cameron Smith. But NO. Someone had to have a 5K bidding system that... you know what, I'm over it."
Muddogz post-match: "Cleary and Johnson were quality. Just ran into Lockyer at his peak."

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MATCH 19: APEX PREDATORS 38 - GUS'S WIZARDS 18

Walsh FINALLY had a good day! Destroyed Hunt at fullback.

Key Moments:
- 6' Walsh receives deep, beats Hunt, beats Toopi, scores! 6-0
- 14' JT responds - grubbering for Crichton. 6-6
- 22' Walsh again! Steps Smith, scores under the posts! 12-6
- 28' Benji magic - flick pass to Holmes. 18-6
- 35' Mam beats Radley, scores. 18-12
- HT Apex 18-12. Walsh 2 tries. Hunt exposed repeatedly.
- 48' Ponga crashes over from fullback. 24-12
- 55' Walsh hat-trick! Beats Hunt AGAIN! 30-12
- 65' Manu finishes in the corner. 36-12
- 72' JT penalty goal. 36-14
- 78' DCE penalty goal vs Lomax late try. 38-18

Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (15'), Dearden on for Wing (30'), RCG on for Bromwich (48')
Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (18'), McLean on for Scott (35'), Capewell on for Parker (52')

Tries: Apex - Walsh (3), Holmes, Ponga, Manu. Wizards - Crichton, Mam, Lomax
Player of Match: Reece Walsh (Apex) - HAT-TRICK, destroyed Hunt

Naumaifooty post-match: "THAT'S Walsh at his peak. Hunt couldn't handle him. $1.95M well spent."
wizard of Tauranga post-match: "Hunt... he wasn't even 20 when he lost to Motu Tony. Today he lost to Walsh."

---

NORTHERN RYNOS BREAKTHROUGH!
MATCH 20: WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 26 - NORTHERN RYNOS 28

Andrew Johns vs Stacey Jones! The Little General meets the Immortal!

Key Moments:
- 5' Johns spots Inglis short side - GI crashes over! 0-6
- 12' Taumalolo responds - crashes through Tino! 6-6
- 18' Johns magic - grubbering for Folau who dives on it! 6-12
- 25' Stacey Jones finds Fifita with a short ball. 12-12
- 32' Gallen crashes over from close range! 12-18
- HT Rynos 18-12. Johns controlling. Stacey Jones under pressure.
- 48' Taumalolo won't quit - crashes over! 18-18
- 55' Jake Trbojevic crashes through Luke! 18-24
- 65' Carney finds Stewart from a chip kick! 24-24
- 72' Strange beats McLean on the edge! 24-28
- 78' Stacey Jones field goal attempt... WIDE! Rynos get their first WIN!

Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (18'), May on for Wiki (32'), Murray on for Webcke (48')
Substitutions - Rynos: Strange on for Lauiti'iti (16'), Whyte on for Leota (32'), Su'a on for Fifita (52')

Tries: Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Fifita, Stewart. Rynos - Inglis, Folau, Gallen, Trbojevic, Strange
Player of Match: Andrew Johns (Rynos) - 3 try assists, controlled the game

Ryno 2.0 post-match: "FINALLY! Joey was incredible. GI, Folau, Jake - all stood up. First WIN!"
Warriors55 post-match: "Stacey Jones was quality but Johns is an Immortal. He controlled the game."

---

ROUND 6
BYE: Northern Rynos

Match	Home	Score	Away
21	Territorial Monsters	30 - 26	Starford's Stars
22	Uncivil Warriors	28 - 22	Gus's Wizards
23	Apex Predators	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers
24	Muddogz XIII	26 - 24	Warriors Strikeforce

MATCH 21: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30 - STARFORD'S STARS 26

Hayne was BRILLIANT. But the Anaconda squeezed him anyway.

Key Moments:
- 5' Hayne magic! Steps Grant, scores under the posts! 0-6
- 12' Kennedy responds - beats Thorn, offloads to Turbo. 6-6
- 18' Hayne again! 5 linebreaks incoming. Grubbering for JAC! 6-12
- 25' Haas crashes through Mason. Dominance. 12-12
- 32' Tallis vs Mason! MASON SIN-BINNED! Late shot. FOURTH TIME this tournament!
- 35' Territorial capitalise - Coates finishes in the corner. 18-12
- HT Territorial 18-12. Hayne brilliant. Mason costly.
- 48' Hayne pulls one back despite 12 men. 18-18
- 55' Tallis charges through Carroll, scores! 24-18
- 62' Lyon finishes brilliantly in the corner. 24-22
- 68' Grant darts from dummy half. 30-22
- 78' Moses chips for Timoko. 30-26

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (16'), Papalii on for Haas (30'), Mannering on for Kikau (52')
Substitutions - Stars: McInnes on for Farah (18'), Lodge on for Mason (35'), To'a on for Timoko (55')

Disciplinary: Willie Mason sin-binned (32') - late shot on Tallis. FOURTH sin-bin of tournament!

Tries: Territorial - Turbo, Coates, Tallis, Grant. Stars - Hayne (2), JAC, Lyon, Timoko
Player of Match: Jarryd Hayne (Stars) - 2 tries, 5 linebreaks, brilliant despite loss

Wrighty post-match: "Hayne proved himself. 5 linebreaks! But you know what would help? If Willie Mason stopped getting sin-binned. Four times now. FOUR. These undisciplined firebrands..."
Cces post-match: "The Anaconda squeezed Hayne. Even his brilliance couldn't crack our balance."

---

CLASH OF LEGENDS
MATCH 22: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 28 - GUS'S WIZARDS 22

Lockyer-Cronk vs JT-Smith. Battle of the halves.

Key Moments:
- 6' JT spots Crichton short side. First blood Wizards! 0-6
- 14' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco. Too easy. 6-6
- 22' Smith finds Mam with a dart. 6-12
- 28' Cronk's 40/20 sets up Mitchell! 12-12
- 35' Lockyer reads JT, intercepts! Scores! 18-12
- HT Uncivil 18-12. Lockyer-Cronk controlling JT-Smith. Experience vs youth.
- 48' JT won't quit - grubbering for Lomax. 18-18
- 55' Cronk chips for RTS. Brilliant finish. 24-18
- 68' Katoa crashes over. 28-18
- 76' JT late try. 28-22

Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (16'), Willison on for Tapine (32'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (48')
Substitutions - Wizards: Leniu on for Saifiti (18'), McLean on for Scott (35'), Capewell on for Parker (55')

Tries: Uncivil - Tedesco, Mitchell, Lockyer, RTS, Katoa. Wizards - Crichton, Mam, Lomax, JT
Player of Match: Cooper Cronk (Uncivil) - 2 try assists, controlled the game

Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Beat JT and Smith with Lockyer-Cronk. THAT'S what quality halves do."
wizard of Tauranga post-match: "JT and Smith. Essentially cheating. Lost to even MORE cheating."

---

MATCH 23: APEX PREDATORS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers. 28-0 forfeit win.

Naumaifooty: "Walsh would have destroyed Slater anyway. But we'll never know."

---

MATCH 24: MUDDOGZ XIII 26 - WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 24

Cleary's kicking edged Stacey Jones.

Key Moments:
- 7' Taumalolo crashes through Civoniceva! 0-6
- 14' Cleary's 40/20 sets up Radradra. 6-6
- 22' Stacey Jones finds Fifita with a short ball. 6-12
- 28' Johnson grubbering for Papenhuyzen. 12-12
- 35' Carney chips for Stewart. 12-18
- HT Strikeforce 18-12. Jones controlling. But Cleary loading...
- 48' Cleary penalty goal. 14-18
- 55' Vatuvei crashes over! The Beast! 20-18
- 62' Taumalolo won't quit - crashes over. 20-24
- 72' Cleary finds Johnson with a cutout - SJ scores! 26-24
- 78' Jones puts up a bomb... Papenhuyzen catches! Muddogz hold on!

Substitutions - Muddogz: Taupau on for Civoniceva (16'), Paulo on for AFB (30'), Henry on for Curran (52')
Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (18'), May on for Wiki (32'), Murray on for Webcke (48')

Tries: Muddogz - Radradra, Papenhuyzen, Vatuvei, Johnson. Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Fifita, Stewart
Player of Match: Nathan Cleary (Muddogz) - 2 try assists, controlled territory with his boot

Muddogz post-match: "Cleary's kicking. That's what wins tight games."
Warriors55 post-match: "Stacey Jones was quality. Cleary just edged him on territory."

---

ROUND 7 (FINAL ROUND)
BYE: Northern Rynos

Match	Home	Score	Away
25	Territorial Monsters	36 - 22	Muddogz XIII
26	Uncivil Warriors	30 - 24	Starford's Stars
27	Apex Predators	28 - 28	Warriors Strikeforce
28	Gus's Wizards	WIN - FORFEIT	Defence's Destroyers

MATCH 25: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 36 - MUDDOGZ XIII 22

Anaconda vs Cleary's kicking game. Balance wins.

Key Moments:
- 6' Haas crashes through Civoniceva! 6-0
- 14' Cleary's 40/20 sets up Radradra. 6-6
- 22' Kennedy beats Barnett at lock. 12-6
- 28' Johnson finds Papenhuyzen with a cutout. 12-12
- 35' Tallis charges through Paulo, scores! 18-12
- HT Territorial 18-12. Anaconda squeezing. Cleary frustrated.
- 48' Turbo intercepts Cleary, races 60m! 24-12
- 55' Vatuvei crashes over. The Beast won't quit. 24-18
- 62' Grant darts from dummy half. 30-18
- 72' To'o finishes in the corner. 36-18
- 78' Radradra consolation try. 36-22

Substitutions - Territorial: Sorensen on for Burgess (18'), Papalii on for Haas (30'), Mannering on for Kikau (52')
Substitutions - Muddogz: Taupau on for Civoniceva (16'), Paulo on for AFB (32'), Henry on for Curran (55')

Tries: Territorial - Haas, Kennedy, Tallis, Turbo, Grant, To'o. Muddogz - Radradra (2), Papenhuyzen, Vatuvei
Player of Match: Gordon Tallis (Territorial) - 1 try, 178m, dominated the middle

Cces post-match: "UNDEFEATED. Anaconda all the way. Cleary's boot couldn't crack our balance."
Muddogz post-match: "Cleary tried everything. That forward pack is just too strong."

---

MATCH 26: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30 - STARFORD'S STARS 24

Lockyer-Cronk controlled Hayne. Hetherington sent off AGAIN.

Key Moments:
- 5' Hayne magic! Steps Cook, scores! 0-6
- 12' Lockyer grubbering for Tedesco. 6-6
- 18' JAC burns Tupou down the wing. 6-12
- 25' Cronk finds Mitchell with a cutout. 12-12
- 32' JACK HETHERINGTON SENT OFF! Late shot on Cronk. SECOND red card this tournament!
- 38' Lockyer capitalises - grubber for RTS! 18-12
- HT Uncivil 18-12. Stars down to 12. Hetherington's discipline costing again.
- 48' Hayne brilliant despite 12 men - scores! 18-18
- 55' Katoa crashes over. 13 vs 12. 24-18
- 62' Lyon finishes in the corner. 24-22
- 72' Cook darts from dummy half. 30-22
- 78' Thorn consolation try. 30-24

Substitutions - Uncivil: Koloamatangi on for Morley (16'), Willison on for Tapine (30'), Bird on for Hindmarsh (48')
Substitutions - Stars: McInnes on for Farah (18'), Lodge on for Mason (28'), To'a on for Timoko (55')

Disciplinary: Jack Hetherington SENT OFF (32') - late shot on Cronk. SECOND red card this tournament!

Tries: Uncivil - Tedesco, Mitchell, RTS, Katoa, Cook. Stars - Hayne (2), JAC, Lyon, Thorn
Player of Match: Jarryd Hayne (Stars) - 2 tries, brilliant despite playing with 12

Wrighty post-match: "Hetherington. AGAIN. Two red cards. Four sin-bins for Mason. These undisciplined firebrands are killing us. But Hayne was incredible - 2 tries with 12 men!"
Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Lockyer-Cronk controlled the game. Hetherington's red card helped. A lot."

---

MATCH OF THE ROUND - EPIC DRAW
MATCH 27: APEX PREDATORS 28 - WARRIORS STRIKEFORCE 28

Walsh vs Stacey Jones! Two quality playmakers couldn't be separated!

Key Moments:
- 6' Walsh receives deep, beats Stewart, scores! 6-0
- 14' Stacey Jones grubbering for Taumalolo who crashes over! 6-6
- 22' Walsh again! Steps Luke, scores under the posts! 12-6
- 28' Stacey Jones finds Fifita with a short ball. 12-12
- 35' Benji magic - flick pass to Holmes. 18-12
- HT Apex 18-12. Walsh 2 tries. Jones controlling territory.
- 48' Taumalolo crashes through SBW! 18-18
- 55' Ponga crashes over from fullback. 24-18
- 62' Carney finds McLean who scores! 24-24
- 72' Walsh grubbering for Manu. 28-24
- 78' Stacey Jones field goal attempt... MISSED! But Taumalolo picks up and scores! 28-28
- 80' GOLDEN POINT - Both teams miss field goals. DRAW!

Substitutions - Apex: Collins on for Fitzgibbon (16'), Dearden on for Wing (32'), RCG on for Bromwich (48')
Substitutions - Strikeforce: Martin on for Lewis (18'), May on for Wiki (30'), Murray on for Webcke (52')

Tries: Apex - Walsh (2), Holmes, Ponga, Manu. Strikeforce - Taumalolo (2), Fifita, McLean
Players of Match: Reece Walsh (Apex) & Stacey Jones (Strikeforce) - two quality playmakers couldn't be separated

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh vs Stacey Jones. Two quality playmakers. A deserved draw."
Warriors55 post-match: "The Little General vs Walsh. Two legends. Neither deserved to lose."

---

MATCH 28: GUS'S WIZARDS WIN BY FORFEIT
Defence's Destroyers. Final forfeit. 28-0 win.

wizard of Tauranga: "JT and Smith would have destroyed Slater-Munster anyway. But we'll never know. Seven forfeits. Defence literally forgot to play every single week."
Defence: *still hasn't submitted a team list*

---

FINAL STANDINGS

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS
1	Territorial Monsters	7	7	0	0	248	130	+118	14
2	Uncivil Warriors	7	6	0	1	210	130	+80	12
3	Gus's Wizards	7	4	0	3	186	158	+28	8
4	Apex Predators	7	3	1	3	192	158	+34	7
5	Muddogz XIII	7	3	0	4	174	184	-10	6
6	Northern Rynos	7	2	0	5	166	170	-4	4
7	Starford's Stars	7	2	0	5	154	186	-32	4
8	Warriors Strikeforce	7	1	1	5	168	194	-26	3
9	Defence's Destroyers	7	0	0	7	0	196	-196	0 (FORFEIT)

---

SLEDGES OF THE TOURNAMENT

Mr. Brownstone to Defence after Round 1 forfeit:
"You assembled Billy Slater, Brad Fittler, and Cameron Munster. Then forgot to submit the team list. That's like buying a Ferrari, forgetting to put the keys in, and watching everyone else drive past."

Cces to Naumaifooty after Round 1:
"Kennedy, Tallis, Haas, Grant, To'o. Balanced squad beats individual brilliance. Walsh just got Anaconda'd."

Muddogz to Mr. Brownstone after Round 5:
"Cleary outplayed DCE. Current form matters. But hey, at least you're not still complaining about the 5K bidding thing... oh wait."

Mr. Brownstone in response:
"I'm OVER the 5K thing. COMPLETELY over it. But Cleary having a good game is JUST as annoying. Actually no. The 5K thing was worse. Although..."

Warriors55 after Stacey Jones drew with Walsh:
"The Little General delivers. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

wizard of Tauranga on his team:
"Cameron Smith + Jonathan Thurston together is essentially cheating. Wizards win 24-20."

Wrighty after Mason's 4th sin bin:
"Willie. Mate. FOUR sin bins. That's one per week. At this rate, he'll have more sin bins than games by finals."

Ryno 2.0 after their one win:
"Everyone laughed at Brooks. Everyone laughed at Gagai at fullback. Well who's laughing now? ...okay, everyone's still laughing. But we got ONE win at least. Naufahu Whyte is an NZ International - not fringe!"

---

Coming Soon: The Finals Series

 

[Chris Hodges]

PLAYER AGENT GAME
ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT SIMULATION
All Players At Their Career Peak

Every player performing at their absolute best. The legends of the NRL era face off in a fantasy showdown.​

---

FINALS SERIES

SEMI FINAL 1: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS (1st) vs GUS'S WIZARDS (3rd)

Territorial Monsters

38

-

20

Gus's Wizards

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 68,241 | Referee: Gerard Sutton

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Reynolds sends it deep. Karmichael Hunt fields on the 10m line. The battle of balanced squad vs the $9M spine begins.

3' TERRITORIAL STRIKE EARLY
Reynolds finds space with a short kick, To'o gathers and bulldozes through Toopi to score! The Origin winger is too powerful. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 6-0

8' JT RESPONDS
Thurston takes a quick tap, steps Grant, grubbering through for Crichton who dives on it! The four-time Dally M centre delivers. JT converts.
TIED 6-6

12' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Scott Sorensen on for Sam Burgess. First rotation for Cces.

14' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu on for Daniel Saifiti. Wizard brings on the impact.

17' TURBO TIME
Kennedy takes the ball from dummy half, draws two defenders, finds Turbo on the angle. Trbojevic is too quick for Hunt! The fullback beats the former Australian rep with ease. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-6

22' HUNT EXPOSED
Kikau makes a break down the left edge, offloads to Tallis who charges at Hunt. The fullback is bounced backwards 5 metres. Turnover.

wizard of Tauranga on the sideline: "He wasn't even 20 when he lost to Motu Tony... but he never quite became..."

26' TERRITORIAL SURGE
Grant scoots from dummy half, finds Coates steaming down the wing. The young winger is too fast for Isaako! Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-6

29' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii on for Payne Haas. Cces managing his prop's minutes.

31' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Jordan McLean on for Matt Scott. Leka Halasima also comes on for Jesse Bromwich.

34' CAMERON SMITH MAGIC
Smith spots Ezra Mam short side, feeds the young five-eighth who dances through two tackles and scores! The GOAT hooker creates something from nothing. JT converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-12

38' KENNEDY DOMINANCE
Kennedy charges from the ruck, beats Erin Clarke, offloads to Grant who darts over! The hooker combination is devastating. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 24-12

HALFTIME: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 24 - GUS'S WIZARDS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Ben Kennedy: 134m, 24 tackles, 2 try assists - DOMINATING Erin Clarke
- Gordon Tallis: 112m, 1 linebreak - monstering Papali'i
- Cameron Smith: 1 try assist but frustrated by Anaconda pressure
- Karmichael Hunt: 3 errors, beaten 3 times in defence - being exposed

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Payne Haas returns for Josh Papalii. Sam Burgess back on for Scott Sorensen.

42' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Matt Scott and Jesse Bromwich return. Daniel Saifiti and Corey Parker back on the field.

45' TURBO HAT-TRICK BEGINS
Barrett finds Turbo out the back. Trbojevic accelerates past Hunt - beaten AGAIN - and scores his second! Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30-12

51' JT WON'T QUIT
Thurston puts up a bomb, Lomax rises highest, catches and scores! The $250K bargain delivers. JT converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30-18

55' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Simon Mannering on for Viliame Kikau. Craig Gower also enters for Trent Barrett.

56' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Kurt Capewell on for Corey Parker. Fresh legs desperately needed.

62' THE ANACONDA SQUEEZES
Territorial complete 15 straight sets. JT and Smith can't get any rhythm. The balanced squad is suffocating the Wizards.

68' KENNEDY SEALS IT
Kennedy takes a short ball from Grant, beats Clarke AGAIN, crashes over from 5m out! The lock has dominated. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 36-18

72' TURBO HAT-TRICK
Reynolds grubbers into the in-goal, Hunt fumbles under pressure, Turbo pounces! His THIRD try! Hunt is officially exposed. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 38-18

76' CONSOLATION
JT puts up one last bomb, Crichton gathers for his second. A quality performance lost in the wreckage. JT misses the conversion.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 38-20

80' FULL TIME
The Anaconda has squeezed the life out of the $9M spine. Territorial advance to the Grand Final.

wizard of Tauranga post-match: "Cameron Smith is the GOAT. JT is quality. But they can't do it when the forward pack is getting smashed. Karmichael Hunt... okay, he was exposed. I'll admit it. He wasn't even 20 then... but he never became what he could have been. Kennedy beat Clarke by a mile. Tallis monstered Papali'i. The $650K in Hodges penalties didn't help either."

MATCH STATS

Stat	Territorial	Wizards
Possession	56%	44%
Metres	1,687	1,234
Errors	4	11

Tries:
Territorial: Trbojevic (3), To'o, Coates, Grant, Kennedy
Wizards: Crichton (2), Mam, Lomax

Player of the Match: Ben Kennedy (Territorial Monsters) - 178m, 3 try assists, dominated Erin Clarke

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SEMI FINAL 2: UNCIVIL WARRIORS (2nd) vs APEX PREDATORS (4th)

Uncivil Warriors

30

-

26

Apex Predators

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 71,892 | Referee: Ashley Klein

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Lockyer-Cronk vs Walsh-DCE. The battle of the halves begins. Cronk sends it short, Walsh fields on the 30m line and immediately makes ground.

4' WALSH MAGIC
Walsh takes the ball at first receiver, steps Morley, accelerates past Hindmarsh, grubbering for himself and scoring! The 2025 premiership hero is electric! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 6-0

9' LOCKYER RESPONDS
Lockyer reads the defence, spots Mitchell free on the left edge. Cut-out pass, Mitchell powers through Gasnier and scores! The left centre is unstoppable. Lockyer converts.
TIED 6-6

14' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi on for Adrian Morley. Mr. Brownstone bringing on his 2025 star early.

15' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Lindsay Collins on for Craig Fitzgibbon. The different-era prop was struggling against modern athletes.

18' CRONK'S BOOT
Cronk kicks a 40/20! Perfect execution. From the resulting set, Cook scoots from dummy half and darts over! The hooker is electric. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 12-6

23' WALSH WON'T BE DENIED
Walsh receives on his own 30m line, beats three defenders with a devastating sidestep, then accelerates away from Tedesco for 70 metres! TRY! DCE converts.
TIED 12-12

Naumaifooty on the sideline: "THIS is Walsh at his peak. This is what $1.95M buys you."

28' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Xavier Willison on for Joseph Tapine. Greg Bird also enters for Nathan Hindmarsh.

30' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Regan Campbell Gillard on for Jesse Bromwich. Tom Dearden also enters for Craig Wing.

33' LOCKYER MASTERCLASS
Lockyer with a trademark grubber into the in-goal, Tedesco chases, beats Saab to the ball and scores! The Origin fullback delivers again. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18-12

38' DCE STRUGGLES
DCE puts up a bomb that goes straight up. RTS catches it cleanly. The halves disparity is showing - Cronk controlling, DCE guessing.

HALFTIME: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18 - APEX PREDATORS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Reece Walsh: 2 tries, 3 linebreaks, 156m - MAGNIFICENT but alone
- Darren Lockyer: 2 try assists, controlling the game with experience
- Cooper Cronk: 1 40/20, perfect kicking game
- DCE: 2 errors, outplayed by Cronk

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Adrian Morley returns for Xavier Willison. Joseph Tapine back on for Keaon Koloamatangi.

42' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Craig Wing returns for Tom Dearden. Jesse Bromwich back on for Lindsay Collins.

45' PONGA IMPACT
Kalyn Ponga enters the line from fullback, takes a short ball from Benji Marshall, bursts through Cook's tackle and scores! The dual playmaker threat works! DCE converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18-18

51' CRONK'S CONTROL
Cronk with a precision kick to the corner, RTS rises highest and scores! The winger's finishing ability on display. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 24-18

55' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi back on for Adrian Morley. The 2025 performer making an impact.

56' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden back on for Craig Wing. Fresh legs needed.

60' KOLOAMATANGI DOMINANCE
Koloamatangi takes it up from dummy half, beats two defenders, offloads to Katoa who crashes over! The 2025 form is real. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-18

65' WALSH REFUSES TO QUIT
Holmes puts up a bomb, Manu rises, offloads in the tackle to Walsh who dives over in the corner! His third try! DCE misses the conversion.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-22

71' MANU MAGIC
Manu intercepts a Cronk pass, races 60 metres, scores! The centre brings Apex within a converted try! DCE converts!
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-26

76' APEX'S LAST CHANCE
Walsh has the ball with 4 minutes left. Steps Hindmarsh, steps Bird... Tedesco makes a last-ditch tackle! Saved!

78' TURNOVER
DCE puts up a bomb, but Tedesco reads it perfectly. Turnover. Lockyer controls the clock.

80' FULL TIME
Cronk takes the ball and kicks it dead. Uncivil Warriors advance to the Grand Final.

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh did everything. EVERYTHING. 3 tries, 3 linebreaks. But when your halves partner can't match Cronk... JT had Lockyer. Walsh had DCE. The talent gap in the halves was the difference."

Mr. Brownstone post-match: "Lockyer-Cronk. They controlled the game. Koloamatangi was huge off the bench - his 2025 form is real. Could have been even better if not for... no. Not going there. Not mentioning the 5K overbid."

MATCH STATS

Stat	Uncivil	Apex
Possession	54%	46%
Metres	1,423	1,512
Errors	5	8

Tries:
Uncivil: Mitchell, Tedesco, Cook, RTS, Katoa
Apex: Walsh (3), Ponga, Manu

Player of the Match: Darren Lockyer (Uncivil Warriors) - 2 try assists, controlled the game throughout

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PRELIMINARY FINAL: APEX PREDATORS (4th) vs GUS'S WIZARDS (3rd)

Apex Predators

32

-

28

Gus's Wizards

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 62,547 | Referee: Grant Atkins

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Elimination final! Walsh vs JT-Smith. The losers go home. DCE sends it deep, Hunt fields on the 10m line.

5' JT OPENS
Thurston takes a quick tap from a penalty, spots Crichton unmarked on his inside. The four-time Dally M centre crashes over! JT converts.
GUS'S WIZARDS 6-0

11' WALSH RESPONDS
Walsh receives on his own 40m line, dummies to Benji, accelerates through a gap, and scores! The Australian fullback is unstoppable when he gets space. DCE converts.
TIED 6-6

15' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Lindsay Collins on for Craig Fitzgibbon. Regan Campbell Gillard also enters for Jesse Bromwich.

17' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu on for Daniel Saifiti. Jordan McLean also enters for Matt Scott.

22' BENJI MAGIC
Benji Marshall receives the ball 30m out, throws a no-look flick pass to Holmes who dives over in the corner! Prime Benji is devastating. DCE converts from the sideline!
APEX PREDATORS 12-6

28' CAMERON SMITH STRIKES BACK
Smith spots Mam short side, feeds the young five-eighth who steps Radley and scores! The GOAT hooker creating again. JT converts.
TIED 12-12

32' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden on for Craig Wing. Fresh legs at dummy half.

34' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Kurt Capewell on for Corey Parker. Leka Halasima also enters for Jesse Bromwich.

36' PONGA IMPACT
Kalyn Ponga takes the ball at first receiver, draws two defenders, then offloads to Manu who races 40m to score! The dual playmaker threat is working. DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 18-12

HALFTIME: APEX PREDATORS 18 - GUS'S WIZARDS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Reece Walsh: 1 try, 2 linebreaks - running riot
- Benji Marshall: 1 magical try assist - prime Benji on display
- Cameron Smith: 1 try assist, frustrated by lack of territory
- JT: 1 try assist but outplayed by Walsh's running game

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Craig Wing returns for Tom Dearden. Jesse Bromwich back on for Regan Campbell Gillard.

42' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Matt Scott and Daniel Saifiti return. Corey Parker back on.

45' JT WON'T QUIT
Thurston puts up a bomb, Isaako rises highest over Saab and scores! The $250K bargain delivering in the clutch. JT converts.
APEX PREDATORS 18-18

52' GASNIER CLASS
Mark Gasnier takes a short ball from Benji, steps Hunt, beats Toopi with a devastating sidestep and scores! The Origin centre showing his class. DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 24-18

56' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden back on for Craig Wing. Lindsay Collins returns for Jesse Bromwich.

58' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu back on for Matt Scott. Fresh legs needed.

61' SMITH-JT CONNECTION
Smith takes a quick tap, finds JT who grubbering for Crichton who scores his second! The $9M spine combination delivers. JT converts.
APEX PREDATORS 24-24

wizard of Tauranga on the sideline: "Cameron Smith + Jonathan Thurston together is ESSENTIALLY CHEATING. I said it at the auction. I'm saying it now."

66' WALSH MAGIC
Walsh receives deep in his own half, beats three defenders, chips over Lomax, regathers and scores! INCREDIBLE SOLO TRY! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 30-24

72' WIZARDS DESPERATE
JT puts up a bomb, but Walsh reads it perfectly. The fullback duel is going Walsh's way.

75' CRICHTON HAT-TRICK
JT won't give up! Finds Crichton unmarked on the left edge who scores his THIRD! JT needs the conversion to level...
JT MISSES! Hit the post!
APEX PREDATORS 30-28

77' PONGA SEALS IT
Apex get turnover! Ponga intercepts a Smith pass, races 50 metres, scores! The game is over! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 32-28

80' FULL TIME
Walsh and Ponga embrace. Apex Predators have survived elimination.

Naumaifooty post-match: "Walsh did it AGAIN. But this time Ponga helped. Benji helped. The playmaker depth made the difference. JT and Smith were incredible but Walsh... Walsh is something special."

wizard of Tauranga post-match: "Cameron Smith + JT. ESSENTIALLY CHEATING. Lost by 4 points. JT missed ONE conversion. ONE. If he'd made that... $650K in Hodges penalties. Karmichael Hunt. The pain continues. But this was the most fun I've had all year."

MATCH STATS

Stat	Apex	Wizards
Possession	48%	52%
Metres	1,534	1,423
Errors	6	7

Tries:
Apex: Walsh (2), Holmes, Manu, Gasnier, Ponga
Wizards: Crichton (3), Mam, Isaako

Player of the Match: Reece Walsh (Apex Predators) - 2 tries, 4 linebreaks, controlled the game

---

GRAND FINAL

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS vs UNCIVIL WARRIORS

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS

28

-

24

UNCIVIL WARRIORS

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 82,456 | Referee: Ashley Klein

---

FULL MATCH COMMENTARY

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Reynolds sends it deep. The balanced squad vs Lockyer-Cronk. Tedesco fields it on the 15m line, steps Grant and returns it to the 40. Big game from the Origin fullback.

4' FIRST POINTS - TRY TERRITORIAL MONSTERS
Haas crashes through two tacklers, offloads to Tallis who muscles over from 5 metres. The prop to the second-rower. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 6-0

9' UNCIVIL WARRIORS RESPONSE
Lockyer with a trademark grubber into the in-goal, Tedesco chases, beats To'o to the ball and scores! The ultimate big-game player. Lockyer converts.
TIED 6-6

15' TERRITORIAL STRIKE BACK
Kennedy takes the ball from dummy half, steps Cook, then finds Turbo steaming through on an angle. Turbo's speed gets him over despite Mitchell's tackle. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-6

18' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Scott Sorensen on for Sam Burgess. First rotation for Cces.

19' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi on for Adrian Morley. Mr. Brownstone brings on his 2025 performer early.

22' BRUTAL DEFENCE
Tallis puts a massive shot on RTS. The winger is slow to get up. The Territorial forwards are winning the ruck battle despite Morley's efforts.

28' UNCIVIL WARRIORS STRIKE
Cronk spots Katoa short side, fires a cut-out pass over Grant's head, Katoa crashes over in the corner! Lockyer misses from the sideline.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-10

32' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii on for Payne Haas. Cces resting his metre-eater for a second half assault.

33' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Xavier Willison on for Joseph Tapine. The 2025 Grand Final hero enters.

34' TERRITORIAL MONSTERS SURGE
Harry Grant scoots from dummy half, draws two defenders, then finds Coates steaming down the wing. Xavier Coates is too fast for Tupou. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-10

36' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Greg Bird on for Nathan Hindmarsh. Fresh legs for the back end of the half.

38' PENALTY GOAL
Morley penalised for a high shot on Kikau. Reynolds slots the penalty.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20-10

HALFTIME: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20 - UNCIVIL WARRIORS 10

Halftime Stats:
- Payne Haas: 124m, 18 tackles, 1 try assist - DOMINATING
- Gordon Tallis: 98m, 22 tackles, 1 try - The Raging Bull is back
- Darren Lockyer: 1 try assist, 0 errors, but under pressure
- Keaon Koloamatangi: 67m, 14 tackles (off the bench) - performing well for Uncivil's pack

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Sam Burgess back on for Scott Sorensen. Payne Haas also returns for Josh Papalii. The big guns are back.

42' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Adrian Morley returns for Xavier Willison. Joseph Tapine back on for Keaon Koloamatangi.

43' UNCIVIL WARRIORS SURGE
Lockyer takes a quick tap from a penalty, grubbering for Latrell Mitchell who gathers and scores! The left centre is unstoppable from 10m out. Lockyer converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20-16

49' TERRITORIAL RESPONSE
Kikau charges down the left edge, beats Hindmarsh, then offloads to Tallis who goes in untouched! The Raging Bull has a double!
Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 26-16

55' CRONK'S BRILLIANCE
Cronk with a moment of magic! Chips over the line, regathers, and scores! This is why he's a 4-time premiership winner. Lockyer converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 26-22

58' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Simon Mannering on for Viliame Kikau. Fresh legs on the edge. Scott Sorensen also returns for Sam Burgess.

59' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi back on for Adrian Morley. Xavier Willison returns for Joseph Tapine. Mr. Brownstone going with his 2025 heroes.

62' DEFENSIVE STALEMATE
Both teams trading sets. Kennedy vs Yeo is intense. The Anaconda strategy is working - Territorial are squeezing the life out of every Uncivil attack.

68' CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT
Mitchell appears to have scored in the corner, but the bunker rules obstruction on Katoa. Territorial survive! Mr. Brownstone is FURIOUS on the sideline.

Mr. Brownstone: "OBSTRUCTION? OBSTRUCTION?! This is worse than the 5K overbid! Actually no, the 5K overbid overrule was worse. But THIS IS CLOSE!"

70' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii back on for Payne Haas. Cces managing his big man's minutes for the final push.

71' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Nathan Hindmarsh returns for Greg Bird. All hands on deck for the finish.

72' TERRITORIAL SEAL IT
Reynolds kicks deep, RTS fumbles under pressure from To'o, Grant pounces on the loose ball and scores! The hooker has won them the Grand Final!
Reynolds steadies... converts!
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 28-22

76' UNCIVIL DESPERATE
Lockyer organises one last charge. Cronk kicks for Tedesco who somehow regathers and scores! The Origin fullback has given them hope!
Lockyer needs to convert to keep them alive...
MISSED! Hit the post!
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 28-24

78' HEART-STOPPING FINALE
Uncivil Warriors with the ball. Last chance. Cronk kicks high for Mitchell on the left edge... Girdler is there! He catches it cleanly!

80' FINAL SIREN
Territorial Monsters win the scrum. Reynolds takes the ball and kicks it dead.

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS WIN 28-24!​

CCES'S BALANCED SQUAD HAS DONE IT! THE ANACONDA HAS SQUEEZED THE LIFE OUT OF LOCKYER-CRONK!

---

GRAND FINAL STATS

Stat	Territorial Monsters	Uncivil Warriors
Possession	52%	48%
Metres	1,612	1,398
Tackles	289	324
Errors	6	9
Line Breaks	8	5
Offloads	14	7

TRY SCORERS:
Territorial: Tallis (2), Turbo, Coates, Grant
Uncivil: Tedesco (2), Katoa, Mitchell, Cronk

CLIVE CHURCHILL MEDAL: GORDON TALLIS
176m, 2 tries, 1 try assist, 38 tackles, 6 offloads - THE RAGING BULL DELIVERED

---

TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Award	Winner	Team
Player of the Tournament	Gordon Tallis	Territorial Monsters
Forward of Tournament	Payne Haas	Territorial Monsters
Back of Tournament	Reece Walsh	Apex Predators
Halves Combination	Lockyer-Cronk	Uncivil Warriors
Coach of Tournament	Cces	Territorial Monsters
Breakout Performer	Keaon Koloamatangi	Uncivil Warriors
2025 Performers Award	Naufahu Whyte & Ethan Strange	Northern Rynos
Top Try Scorer	Tom Trbojevic (11 tries)	Territorial Monsters
Top Metre Eater	Payne Haas (1,923m)	Territorial Monsters
Defender of Tournament	Ben Kennedy	Territorial Monsters
Play of the Tournament	Tallis double in Grand Final	Territorial vs Uncivil
Most Sin Bins	Willie Mason (4)	Starford's Stars
Most Send-Offs	Jack Hetherington (2)	Starford's Stars
Forfeit Award	Defence	Defence's Destroyers

---

                    +-------------------------+
                    |       GRAND FINAL       |
                    |                         |
         +----------+   Territorial M.   28   |
         |          |   Uncivil Warriors 24   |
         |          +-------------------------+
         |
+--------+---------+              +------------------+
|   SEMI FINAL 1   |              |   SEMI FINAL 2   |
|                  |              |                  |
| Territorial   38 |              | Uncivil War.  30 |
| Gus's Wizards 20 |              | Apex Pred.    26 |
+------------------+              +--------+---------+
                                           |
                    +----------------------+
                    |   PRELIMINARY FINAL  |
                    |                      |
                    | Apex Predators   32  |
                    | Gus's Wizards    28  |
                    +----------------------+

---

MANAGER AWARDS (THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY)

Award	Winner	Reason
"The Anaconda Award"	Cces	Built a balanced squad. Sam Burgess at $1.41M was worth every cent. Applied "pressure like an Anaconda" and squeezed the life out of everyone - including Lockyer-Cronk.
"The 5K Complainer Award"	Mr. Brownstone	Assembled Lockyer-Cronk but STILL won't stop mentioning the 5K bidding issues. Lost the Grand Final by 4 points. "Could have had Cameron Smith if not for the 5K costly mistake on Farnworth" We know, mate. We know.
"The One Man Army Award"	Naumaifooty	Built the entire team around Reece Walsh ($1.95M) and SBW ($2.78M). It worked until they faced Lockyer-Cronk. "Walsh did everything" - but even JT had Lockyer.
"The $10M Madman Award"	wizard of Tauranga	Dropped $4M on JT Round 1, then $5M on Cameron Smith. "The most fun I've had all year." But $650K in Hodges penalties while others got bonuses? Perhaps too aggressive.
"The Homework Forgetter Award"	Defence	Assembled Billy Slater, Brad Fittler, Cameron Munster, and James Fisher-Harris. Forgot to submit team list. Almost quit over the goal kicker controversy, stayed after community support, then forfeited anyway. "I thought it was optional."
"The Favouritism Award"	Wrighty	Named Starford To'a captain ("he's my favourite player") and benched him. Put legends Steve Price and Jamie Lyon under an unproven leader. Assembled undisciplined firebrands Lodge, Hetherington, and Mason - four sin bins and two send-offs. Admitted being "a real underdog as I don't know the players." Favouritism over football smarts.
"The Cleary Believer Award"	Muddogz	Built around Nathan Cleary. Proved current form matters. Still couldn't overcome the halves investment leaving gaps elsewhere.
"The Little General Award"	Warriors55	Stacey Jones drew with Walsh. "The Little General delivers." Completed the Hodges Agency challenge. One-minute snipe on Fifita nearly gave everyone heart attacks.
"The 2025 Performers Award"	Ryno 2.0	Correctly identified Naufahu Whyte (NZ International) and Ethan Strange (Origin contender) as genuine performers. "I messed up with recruiting outside backs" - at least he was honest. 5/10 bench self-rating was fair.

---

OVERHEARD IN THE COACHES BOX

Cces (after Tallis' Grand Final double):
"PRESSURE. LIKE. AN. ANACONDA. We don't beat teams - we suffocate them. This is what happens when you build PROPERLY. Not around one player. Not around halves. BALANCE. The Anaconda doesn't care how great your halfback is. We squeeze everyone equally."

Mr. Brownstone (after losing the Grand Final):
"Lockyer-Cronk. Lost by 4 points. To an Anaconda. You know what would have helped? CAMERON SMITH. You know why I don't have Cameron Smith? THE 5K BIDDING SYSTEM. Yes, I'm still talking about it. I'll ALWAYS be talking about it."

Naumaifooty (after Semi Final loss):
"Walsh did EVERYTHING. 2 tries, 3 linebreaks, standout player on the field. But JT had Lockyer. Walsh had... DCE. If I had Lockyer... if I had Cronk... basically anyone who could match what they do."

wizard of Tauranga (after Semi Final loss):
"Cameron Smith + Jonathan Thurston is essentially cheating. I said we'd win 24-20. We lost 38-20. Karmichael Hunt at fullback... okay, he wasn't even 20 when he lost to Motu Tony. But he never was what he could have been. The $650K in penalties to Hodges didn't help either."

Defence (entire tournament):
"I have Billy Slater. Billy. Slater. Three-time Clive Churchill Medallist. And we're... forfeiting. I thought submitting a team list was like submitting homework. Optional. Voluntary. A suggestion.

I almost quit over the goal kicker thing. Mr. Brownstone said 'this is meant to be fun, the rules should guide us not trip us up.' Wrighty apologized. I stayed.

Then I tripped myself. At the finish line."

Wrighty (after Mason's 4th sin bin):
"I specifically told Willie to only throw punches when NECESSARY. Four times? FOUR TIMES? And Hetherington got sent off TWICE. Lodge... well, Lodge was Lodge. Ethics and overcoming adversity, as Wizard said."

*When asked about Starford Toa as captain*

"I picked him as captain as he is my favourite player. This is an NRL fantasy game. Ideally your captain should be in your starting 13 but... look, Steve Price won Dally M captain THREE times. He can handle it."

Ryno 2.0 (after their breakthrough win over Strikeforce):
"Andrew Johns vs Stacey Jones. Two LEGENDS. And Joey won. 5/10 bench rating was being harsh on myself - Whyte is an NZ INTERNATIONAL, Strange is on the CUSP of ORIGIN. Gallen led from the front. Greg Inglis and Folau caused chaos in the centres. We finally showed what this team can do when Johns is pulling the strings."

---

ALL-STARS XVII

Selected from all 9 teams based on tournament performance

                    ALL-STARS XVII

           +-----------------------------------+
    TURBO  |           FULLBACK                |
 (Territ.) |       TOM TRBOJEVIC              |
           |       11 tries, impressive        |
           +-----------------------------------+

    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+  +----------+
    |  WING    |  |  CENTRE  |  |  CENTRE  |  |  WING    |
    |  To'o    |  | Crichton |  | Mitchell |  |  Coates  |
    |(Territ.) |  |(Wizards) |  |(Uncivil) |  |(Territ.) |
    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+  +----------+

           +------------------------------------+
           |           HALVES                   |
           |   Lockyer (Uncivil) - JT (Wizards)|
           |                                    |
           +------------------------------------+

    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+
    |  PROP    |  |  HOOKER  |  |  PROP    |
    |  Haas    |  |  Grant   |  |   JFH    |
    |(Territ.) |  |(Territ.) |  |(Defence) |
    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+

    +----------+  +--------------+  +----------+
    | 2ND ROW  |  |     LOCK     |  | 2ND ROW  |
    |  Tallis  |  |   Kennedy    |  |  Kikau   |
    |(Territ.) |  | (Territ.)    |  |(Territ.) |
    +----------+  +--------------+  +----------+

                      BENCH
    +----------+----------+-----------+----------+
    | Smith    | Walsh    | Cronk     |Koloamat. |
    |(Wizards) |(Apex)    |(Uncivil)  |(Uncivil) |
    +----------+----------+-----------+----------+

All-Stars Breakdown by Team:
- Territorial Monsters: 7 selections (Turbo, To'o, Coates, Haas, Grant, Tallis, Kennedy, Kikau) - DOMINANT
- Uncivil Warriors: 3 selections (Lockyer, Mitchell, Cronk, Koloamatangi)
- Gus's Wizards: 2 selections (JT, Crichton, Smith)
- Apex Predators: 1 selection (Walsh)
- Defence's Destroyers: 1 selection (JFH - despite forfeiting, quality player)

---

FINAL QUOTES

Cces (Territorial Monsters - CHAMPIONS):
"Pressure. Like. An. Anaconda. That's how you win. Sam Burgess at $1.41M. Brad Fittler at $1.25M. Methodical spending. Balance wins championships. Not one player. Not halves pairings. BALANCE. The Anaconda doesn't care how great your halfback is. We squeeze everyone equally."

Mr. Brownstone (Uncivil Warriors - Runners Up):
"Lockyer, Cronk, Tedesco, Cook - quality spine. Lost by 4 points. No regrets... except the 5K overbid. Always the 5K overbid. It haunts me. But this was the most fun I've had. Even losing to an Anaconda."

wizard of Tauranga (Gus's Wizards - 3rd Place):
"This was the most fun I've had all year. $4M on JT. $5M on Smith. $650K in penalties. Worth every cent. Cameron Smith + Jonathan Thurston together is essentially cheating - just not enough cheating to beat that forward pack. Next time I'll spend $10M on props instead."

Wrighty (Starford's Stars - 7th Place):
"Every champion must overcome adversity - think of it as a challenge to overcome. That's what I told Mr. Brownstone when I gave him an infraction. That's what I tell myself now.

Hayne was brilliant. JAC was devastating. Brad Thorn was professional. But Willie's sin bins, Hetherington's send-offs, and yes, the Starford Toa captain situation... lessons learned. Maybe favouritism isn't how you select a team.

I invented this game and finished 7th. At least I beat Defence."

Warriors55 (Warriors Strikeforce - 8th Place):
"Stacey Jones vs Andrew Johns. The Little General vs an Immortal. One field goal. Jones missed. That's the difference between 7th and 8th.

Taumalolo was a monster all tournament. Drew with Walsh. Pushed everyone close. But Johns... Joey controlled that game like only an Immortal can. Can't be mad about losing to an Immortal.

Still completed the Hodges Agency Stacey Jones challenge. Still got Fifita with one minute to spare. Still saw The Little General create magic. That draw with Walsh? That's what this game is about."

Ryno 2.0 (Northern Rynos - 6th Place):
"Andrew Johns at halfback. Greg Inglis at centre. Israel Folau on the wing. Jake Trbojevic at lock. Paul Gallen as captain. This team had LEGENDS.

Two wins. Beat Strikeforce when Jones missed that field goal. Every close loss was within one score. Johns delivered three try assists against Stacey Jones. GI and Folau ran riot.

Next time? We're coming for top four. Joey showed what we can do."

Defence (Defence's Destroyers - FORFEIT):
"Billy Slater. Brad Fittler. Cameron Munster. James Fisher-Harris. And we forfeited because I didn't submit a team list.

I almost quit earlier. Over a goal kicker. Everyone rallied around me. Mr. Brownstone said 'this is meant to be fun.' Wrighty apologized.

Then I forgot the most basic requirement.

Next time I'll set a reminder. 'SUBMIT. TEAM. LIST.' In bold. Underlined. On my forehead."

---

VOTING RECOMMENDATION

Based on team construction, strategic thinking, and overall balance:

Vote	Team	Manager	Reason
3 pts	Territorial Monsters	Cces	Balanced squad. Undefeated. Grand Final winners. "Pressure like an Anaconda" was genius. Methodical spending on quality players.
2 pts	Uncivil Warriors	Mr. Brownstone	Lockyer-Cronk combination. Lost GF by 4 points. Koloamatangi selection was inspired. Would have won if not for... actually, let HIM tell you about the 5K Herbie debacle.
1 pt	Apex Predators	Naumaifooty	Built around Reece Walsh. He was magnificent. Lost when he didn't have the halves support.

---

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!

Tournament simulation with all players at their career peak.
Territorial Monsters - CHAMPIONS - Balance Beats Brilliance

The most fun wizard of Tauranga has had all year (thought it is still early January...).
The most complaints Mr. Brownstone has made about 5K increments.
The most sin bins Willie Mason has collected in one tournament.
The most favouritism Wrighty has shown to his favourite player.
The most ironic forfeit Defence has committed.

This is just meant to be a bit of fun. The rules should guide us, not trip us up.

Q&A responses sourced from Chris Hodges' interviews with team managers.
Auction details sourced from all 117 pages of Wrighty's Player Agent Game thread.​

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

PLAYER AGENT GAME
ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT SIMULATION
All Players At Their Career Peak

Every player performing at their absolute best. The legends of the NRL era face off in a fantasy showdown.​

---

FINALS SERIES

SEMI FINAL 1: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS (1st) vs GUS'S WIZARDS (3rd)

Territorial Monsters

38

-

20

Gus's Wizards

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 68,241 | Referee: Gerard Sutton

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Reynolds sends it deep. Karmichael Hunt fields on the 10m line. The battle of balanced squad vs the $9M spine begins.

3' TERRITORIAL STRIKE EARLY
Reynolds finds space with a short kick, To'o gathers and bulldozes through Toopi to score! The Origin winger is too powerful. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 6-0

8' JT RESPONDS
Thurston takes a quick tap, steps Grant, grubbering through for Crichton who dives on it! The four-time Dally M centre delivers. JT converts.
TIED 6-6

12' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Scott Sorensen on for Sam Burgess. First rotation for Cces.

14' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu on for Daniel Saifiti. Wizard brings on the impact.

17' TURBO TIME
Kennedy takes the ball from dummy half, draws two defenders, finds Turbo on the angle. Trbojevic is too quick for Hunt! The fullback beats the former Australian rep with ease. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-6

22' HUNT EXPOSED
Kikau makes a break down the left edge, offloads to Tallis who charges at Hunt. The fullback is bounced backwards 5 metres. Turnover.



26' TERRITORIAL SURGE
Grant scoots from dummy half, finds Coates steaming down the wing. The young winger is too fast for Isaako! Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-6

29' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii on for Payne Haas. Cces managing his prop's minutes.

31' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Jordan McLean on for Matt Scott. Leka Halasima also comes on for Jesse Bromwich.

34' CAMERON SMITH MAGIC
Smith spots Ezra Mam short side, feeds the young five-eighth who dances through two tackles and scores! The GOAT hooker creates something from nothing. JT converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-12

38' KENNEDY DOMINANCE
Kennedy charges from the ruck, beats Erin Clarke, offloads to Grant who darts over! The hooker combination is devastating. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 24-12

HALFTIME: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 24 - GUS'S WIZARDS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Ben Kennedy: 134m, 24 tackles, 2 try assists - DOMINATING Erin Clarke
- Gordon Tallis: 112m, 1 linebreak - monstering Papali'i
- Cameron Smith: 1 try assist but frustrated by Anaconda pressure
- Karmichael Hunt: 3 errors, beaten 3 times in defence - being exposed

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Payne Haas returns for Josh Papalii. Sam Burgess back on for Scott Sorensen.

42' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Matt Scott and Jesse Bromwich return. Daniel Saifiti and Corey Parker back on the field.

45' TURBO HAT-TRICK BEGINS
Barrett finds Turbo out the back. Trbojevic accelerates past Hunt - beaten AGAIN - and scores his second! Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30-12

51' JT WON'T QUIT
Thurston puts up a bomb, Lomax rises highest, catches and scores! The $250K bargain delivers. JT converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 30-18

55' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Simon Mannering on for Viliame Kikau. Craig Gower also enters for Trent Barrett.

56' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Kurt Capewell on for Corey Parker. Fresh legs desperately needed.

62' THE ANACONDA SQUEEZES
Territorial complete 15 straight sets. JT and Smith can't get any rhythm. The balanced squad is suffocating the Wizards.

68' KENNEDY SEALS IT
Kennedy takes a short ball from Grant, beats Clarke AGAIN, crashes over from 5m out! The lock has dominated. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 36-18

72' TURBO HAT-TRICK
Reynolds grubbers into the in-goal, Hunt fumbles under pressure, Turbo pounces! His THIRD try! Hunt is officially exposed. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 38-18

76' CONSOLATION
JT puts up one last bomb, Crichton gathers for his second. A quality performance lost in the wreckage. JT misses the conversion.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 38-20

80' FULL TIME
The Anaconda has squeezed the life out of the $9M spine. Territorial advance to the Grand Final.



MATCH STATS

Stat	Territorial	Wizards
Possession	56%	44%
Metres	1,687	1,234
Errors	4	11

Tries:
Territorial: Trbojevic (3), To'o, Coates, Grant, Kennedy
Wizards: Crichton (2), Mam, Lomax

Player of the Match: Ben Kennedy (Territorial Monsters) - 178m, 3 try assists, dominated Erin Clarke

---

SEMI FINAL 2: UNCIVIL WARRIORS (2nd) vs APEX PREDATORS (4th)

Uncivil Warriors

30

-

26

Apex Predators

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 71,892 | Referee: Ashley Klein

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Lockyer-Cronk vs Walsh-DCE. The battle of the halves begins. Cronk sends it short, Walsh fields on the 30m line and immediately makes ground.

4' WALSH MAGIC
Walsh takes the ball at first receiver, steps Morley, accelerates past Hindmarsh, grubbering for himself and scoring! The 2025 premiership hero is electric! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 6-0

9' LOCKYER RESPONDS
Lockyer reads the defence, spots Mitchell free on the left edge. Cut-out pass, Mitchell powers through Gasnier and scores! The left centre is unstoppable. Lockyer converts.
TIED 6-6

14' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi on for Adrian Morley. Mr. Brownstone bringing on his 2025 star early.

15' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Lindsay Collins on for Craig Fitzgibbon. The different-era prop was struggling against modern athletes.

18' CRONK'S BOOT
Cronk kicks a 40/20! Perfect execution. From the resulting set, Cook scoots from dummy half and darts over! The hooker is electric. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 12-6

23' WALSH WON'T BE DENIED
Walsh receives on his own 30m line, beats three defenders with a devastating sidestep, then accelerates away from Tedesco for 70 metres! TRY! DCE converts.
TIED 12-12



28' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Xavier Willison on for Joseph Tapine. Greg Bird also enters for Nathan Hindmarsh.

30' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Regan Campbell Gillard on for Jesse Bromwich. Tom Dearden also enters for Craig Wing.

33' LOCKYER MASTERCLASS
Lockyer with a trademark grubber into the in-goal, Tedesco chases, beats Saab to the ball and scores! The Origin fullback delivers again. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18-12

38' DCE STRUGGLES
DCE puts up a bomb that goes straight up. RTS catches it cleanly. The halves disparity is showing - Cronk controlling, DCE guessing.

HALFTIME: UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18 - APEX PREDATORS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Reece Walsh: 2 tries, 3 linebreaks, 156m - MAGNIFICENT but alone
- Darren Lockyer: 2 try assists, controlling the game with experience
- Cooper Cronk: 1 40/20, perfect kicking game
- DCE: 2 errors, outplayed by Cronk

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Adrian Morley returns for Xavier Willison. Joseph Tapine back on for Keaon Koloamatangi.

42' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Craig Wing returns for Tom Dearden. Jesse Bromwich back on for Lindsay Collins.

45' PONGA IMPACT
Kalyn Ponga enters the line from fullback, takes a short ball from Benji Marshall, bursts through Cook's tackle and scores! The dual playmaker threat works! DCE converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 18-18

51' CRONK'S CONTROL
Cronk with a precision kick to the corner, RTS rises highest and scores! The winger's finishing ability on display. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 24-18

55' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi back on for Adrian Morley. The 2025 performer making an impact.

56' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden back on for Craig Wing. Fresh legs needed.

60' KOLOAMATANGI DOMINANCE
Koloamatangi takes it up from dummy half, beats two defenders, offloads to Katoa who crashes over! The 2025 form is real. Lockyer converts.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-18

65' WALSH REFUSES TO QUIT
Holmes puts up a bomb, Manu rises, offloads in the tackle to Walsh who dives over in the corner! His third try! DCE misses the conversion.
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-22

71' MANU MAGIC
Manu intercepts a Cronk pass, races 60 metres, scores! The centre brings Apex within a converted try! DCE converts!
UNCIVIL WARRIORS 30-26

76' APEX'S LAST CHANCE
Walsh has the ball with 4 minutes left. Steps Hindmarsh, steps Bird... Tedesco makes a last-ditch tackle! Saved!

78' TURNOVER
DCE puts up a bomb, but Tedesco reads it perfectly. Turnover. Lockyer controls the clock.

80' FULL TIME
Cronk takes the ball and kicks it dead. Uncivil Warriors advance to the Grand Final.



MATCH STATS

Stat	Uncivil	Apex
Possession	54%	46%
Metres	1,423	1,512
Errors	5	8

Tries:
Uncivil: Mitchell, Tedesco, Cook, RTS, Katoa
Apex: Walsh (3), Ponga, Manu

Player of the Match: Darren Lockyer (Uncivil Warriors) - 2 try assists, controlled the game throughout

---

PRELIMINARY FINAL: APEX PREDATORS (4th) vs GUS'S WIZARDS (3rd)

Apex Predators

32

-

28

Gus's Wizards

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 62,547 | Referee: Grant Atkins

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Elimination final! Walsh vs JT-Smith. The losers go home. DCE sends it deep, Hunt fields on the 10m line.

5' JT OPENS
Thurston takes a quick tap from a penalty, spots Crichton unmarked on his inside. The four-time Dally M centre crashes over! JT converts.
GUS'S WIZARDS 6-0

11' WALSH RESPONDS
Walsh receives on his own 40m line, dummies to Benji, accelerates through a gap, and scores! The Australian fullback is unstoppable when he gets space. DCE converts.
TIED 6-6

15' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Lindsay Collins on for Craig Fitzgibbon. Regan Campbell Gillard also enters for Jesse Bromwich.

17' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu on for Daniel Saifiti. Jordan McLean also enters for Matt Scott.

22' BENJI MAGIC
Benji Marshall receives the ball 30m out, throws a no-look flick pass to Holmes who dives over in the corner! Prime Benji is devastating. DCE converts from the sideline!
APEX PREDATORS 12-6

28' CAMERON SMITH STRIKES BACK
Smith spots Mam short side, feeds the young five-eighth who steps Radley and scores! The GOAT hooker creating again. JT converts.
TIED 12-12

32' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden on for Craig Wing. Fresh legs at dummy half.

34' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Kurt Capewell on for Corey Parker. Leka Halasima also enters for Jesse Bromwich.

36' PONGA IMPACT
Kalyn Ponga takes the ball at first receiver, draws two defenders, then offloads to Manu who races 40m to score! The dual playmaker threat is working. DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 18-12

HALFTIME: APEX PREDATORS 18 - GUS'S WIZARDS 12

Halftime Stats:
- Reece Walsh: 1 try, 2 linebreaks - running riot
- Benji Marshall: 1 magical try assist - prime Benji on display
- Cameron Smith: 1 try assist, frustrated by lack of territory
- JT: 1 try assist but outplayed by Walsh's running game

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Craig Wing returns for Tom Dearden. Jesse Bromwich back on for Regan Campbell Gillard.

42' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Matt Scott and Daniel Saifiti return. Corey Parker back on.

45' JT WON'T QUIT
Thurston puts up a bomb, Isaako rises highest over Saab and scores! The $250K bargain delivering in the clutch. JT converts.
APEX PREDATORS 18-18

52' GASNIER CLASS
Mark Gasnier takes a short ball from Benji, steps Hunt, beats Toopi with a devastating sidestep and scores! The Origin centre showing his class. DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 24-18

56' SUBSTITUTION - APEX
Tom Dearden back on for Craig Wing. Lindsay Collins returns for Jesse Bromwich.

58' SUBSTITUTION - WIZARDS
Spencer Leniu back on for Matt Scott. Fresh legs needed.

61' SMITH-JT CONNECTION
Smith takes a quick tap, finds JT who grubbering for Crichton who scores his second! The $9M spine combination delivers. JT converts.
APEX PREDATORS 24-24



66' WALSH MAGIC
Walsh receives deep in his own half, beats three defenders, chips over Lomax, regathers and scores! INCREDIBLE SOLO TRY! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 30-24

72' WIZARDS DESPERATE
JT puts up a bomb, but Walsh reads it perfectly. The fullback duel is going Walsh's way.

75' CRICHTON HAT-TRICK
JT won't give up! Finds Crichton unmarked on the left edge who scores his THIRD! JT needs the conversion to level...
JT MISSES! Hit the post!
APEX PREDATORS 30-28

77' PONGA SEALS IT
Apex get turnover! Ponga intercepts a Smith pass, races 50 metres, scores! The game is over! DCE converts.
APEX PREDATORS 32-28

80' FULL TIME
Walsh and Ponga embrace. Apex Predators have survived elimination.



MATCH STATS

Stat	Apex	Wizards
Possession	48%	52%
Metres	1,534	1,423
Errors	6	7

Tries:
Apex: Walsh (2), Holmes, Manu, Gasnier, Ponga
Wizards: Crichton (3), Mam, Isaako

Player of the Match: Reece Walsh (Apex Predators) - 2 tries, 4 linebreaks, controlled the game

---

GRAND FINAL

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS vs UNCIVIL WARRIORS

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS

28

-

24

UNCIVIL WARRIORS

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney | Crowd: 82,456 | Referee: Ashley Klein

---

FULL MATCH COMMENTARY

FIRST HALF

0' KICKOFF
Reynolds sends it deep. The balanced squad vs Lockyer-Cronk. Tedesco fields it on the 15m line, steps Grant and returns it to the 40. Big game from the Origin fullback.

4' FIRST POINTS - TRY TERRITORIAL MONSTERS
Haas crashes through two tacklers, offloads to Tallis who muscles over from 5 metres. The prop to the second-rower. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 6-0

9' UNCIVIL WARRIORS RESPONSE
Lockyer with a trademark grubber into the in-goal, Tedesco chases, beats To'o to the ball and scores! The ultimate big-game player. Lockyer converts.
TIED 6-6

15' TERRITORIAL STRIKE BACK
Kennedy takes the ball from dummy half, steps Cook, then finds Turbo steaming through on an angle. Turbo's speed gets him over despite Mitchell's tackle. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-6

18' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Scott Sorensen on for Sam Burgess. First rotation for Cces.

19' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi on for Adrian Morley. Mr. Brownstone brings on his 2025 performer early.

22' BRUTAL DEFENCE
Tallis puts a massive shot on RTS. The winger is slow to get up. The Territorial forwards are winning the ruck battle despite Morley's efforts.

28' UNCIVIL WARRIORS STRIKE
Cronk spots Katoa short side, fires a cut-out pass over Grant's head, Katoa crashes over in the corner! Lockyer misses from the sideline.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 12-10

32' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii on for Payne Haas. Cces resting his metre-eater for a second half assault.

33' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Xavier Willison on for Joseph Tapine. The 2025 Grand Final hero enters.

34' TERRITORIAL MONSTERS SURGE
Harry Grant scoots from dummy half, draws two defenders, then finds Coates steaming down the wing. Xavier Coates is too fast for Tupou. Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 18-10

36' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Greg Bird on for Nathan Hindmarsh. Fresh legs for the back end of the half.

38' PENALTY GOAL
Morley penalised for a high shot on Kikau. Reynolds slots the penalty.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20-10

HALFTIME: TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20 - UNCIVIL WARRIORS 10

Halftime Stats:
- Payne Haas: 124m, 18 tackles, 1 try assist - DOMINATING
- Gordon Tallis: 98m, 22 tackles, 1 try - The Raging Bull is back
- Darren Lockyer: 1 try assist, 0 errors, but under pressure
- Keaon Koloamatangi: 67m, 14 tackles (off the bench) - performing well for Uncivil's pack

---

SECOND HALF

41' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Sam Burgess back on for Scott Sorensen. Payne Haas also returns for Josh Papalii. The big guns are back.

42' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Adrian Morley returns for Xavier Willison. Joseph Tapine back on for Keaon Koloamatangi.

43' UNCIVIL WARRIORS SURGE
Lockyer takes a quick tap from a penalty, grubbering for Latrell Mitchell who gathers and scores! The left centre is unstoppable from 10m out. Lockyer converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 20-16

49' TERRITORIAL RESPONSE
Kikau charges down the left edge, beats Hindmarsh, then offloads to Tallis who goes in untouched! The Raging Bull has a double!
Reynolds converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 26-16

55' CRONK'S BRILLIANCE
Cronk with a moment of magic! Chips over the line, regathers, and scores! This is why he's a 4-time premiership winner. Lockyer converts.
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 26-22

58' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Simon Mannering on for Viliame Kikau. Fresh legs on the edge. Scott Sorensen also returns for Sam Burgess.

59' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Keaon Koloamatangi back on for Adrian Morley. Xavier Willison returns for Joseph Tapine. Mr. Brownstone going with his 2025 heroes.

62' DEFENSIVE STALEMATE
Both teams trading sets. Kennedy vs Yeo is intense. The Anaconda strategy is working - Territorial are squeezing the life out of every Uncivil attack.

68' CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT
Mitchell appears to have scored in the corner, but the bunker rules obstruction on Katoa. Territorial survive! Mr. Brownstone is FURIOUS on the sideline.



70' SUBSTITUTION - TERRITORIAL
Josh Papalii back on for Payne Haas. Cces managing his big man's minutes for the final push.

71' SUBSTITUTION - UNCIVIL
Nathan Hindmarsh returns for Greg Bird. All hands on deck for the finish.

72' TERRITORIAL SEAL IT
Reynolds kicks deep, RTS fumbles under pressure from To'o, Grant pounces on the loose ball and scores! The hooker has won them the Grand Final!
Reynolds steadies... converts!
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 28-22

76' UNCIVIL DESPERATE
Lockyer organises one last charge. Cronk kicks for Tedesco who somehow regathers and scores! The Origin fullback has given them hope!
Lockyer needs to convert to keep them alive...
MISSED! Hit the post!
TERRITORIAL MONSTERS 28-24

78' HEART-STOPPING FINALE
Uncivil Warriors with the ball. Last chance. Cronk kicks high for Mitchell on the left edge... Girdler is there! He catches it cleanly!

80' FINAL SIREN
Territorial Monsters win the scrum. Reynolds takes the ball and kicks it dead.

TERRITORIAL MONSTERS WIN 28-24!​

CCES'S BALANCED SQUAD HAS DONE IT! THE ANACONDA HAS SQUEEZED THE LIFE OUT OF LOCKYER-CRONK!

---

GRAND FINAL STATS

Stat	Territorial Monsters	Uncivil Warriors
Possession	52%	48%
Metres	1,612	1,398
Tackles	289	324
Errors	6	9
Line Breaks	8	5
Offloads	14	7

TRY SCORERS:
Territorial: Tallis (2), Turbo, Coates, Grant
Uncivil: Tedesco (2), Katoa, Mitchell, Cronk

CLIVE CHURCHILL MEDAL: GORDON TALLIS
176m, 2 tries, 1 try assist, 38 tackles, 6 offloads - THE RAGING BULL DELIVERED

---

TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Award	Winner	Team
Player of the Tournament	Gordon Tallis	Territorial Monsters
Forward of Tournament	Payne Haas	Territorial Monsters
Back of Tournament	Reece Walsh	Apex Predators
Halves Combination	Lockyer-Cronk	Uncivil Warriors
Coach of Tournament	Cces	Territorial Monsters
Breakout Performer	Keaon Koloamatangi	Uncivil Warriors
2025 Performers Award	Naufahu Whyte & Ethan Strange	Northern Rynos
Top Try Scorer	Tom Trbojevic (11 tries)	Territorial Monsters
Top Metre Eater	Payne Haas (1,923m)	Territorial Monsters
Defender of Tournament	Ben Kennedy	Territorial Monsters
Play of the Tournament	Tallis double in Grand Final	Territorial vs Uncivil
Most Sin Bins	Willie Mason (4)	Starford's Stars
Most Send-Offs	Jack Hetherington (2)	Starford's Stars
Forfeit Award	Defence	Defence's Destroyers

---

                    +-------------------------+
                    |       GRAND FINAL       |
                    |                         |
         +----------+   Territorial M.   28   |
         |          |   Uncivil Warriors 24   |
         |          +-------------------------+
         |
+--------+---------+              +------------------+
|   SEMI FINAL 1   |              |   SEMI FINAL 2   |
|                  |              |                  |
| Territorial   38 |              | Uncivil War.  30 |
| Gus's Wizards 20 |              | Apex Pred.    26 |
+------------------+              +--------+---------+
                                           |
                    +----------------------+
                    |   PRELIMINARY FINAL  |
                    |                      |
                    | Apex Predators   32  |
                    | Gus's Wizards    28  |
                    +----------------------+

---

MANAGER AWARDS (THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY)

Award	Winner	Reason
"The Anaconda Award"	Cces	Built a balanced squad. Sam Burgess at $1.41M was worth every cent. Applied "pressure like an Anaconda" and squeezed the life out of everyone - including Lockyer-Cronk.
"The 5K Complainer Award"	Mr. Brownstone	Assembled Lockyer-Cronk but STILL won't stop mentioning the 5K bidding issues. Lost the Grand Final by 4 points. "Could have had Cameron Smith if not for the 5K costly mistake on Farnworth" We know, mate. We know.
"The One Man Army Award"	Naumaifooty	Built the entire team around Reece Walsh ($1.95M) and SBW ($2.78M). It worked until they faced Lockyer-Cronk. "Walsh did everything" - but even JT had Lockyer.
"The $10M Madman Award"	wizard of Tauranga	Dropped $4M on JT Round 1, then $5M on Cameron Smith. "The most fun I've had all year." But $650K in Hodges penalties while others got bonuses? Perhaps too aggressive.
"The Homework Forgetter Award"	Defence	Assembled Billy Slater, Brad Fittler, Cameron Munster, and James Fisher-Harris. Forgot to submit team list. Almost quit over the goal kicker controversy, stayed after community support, then forfeited anyway. "I thought it was optional."
"The Favouritism Award"	Wrighty	Named Starford To'a captain ("he's my favourite player") and benched him. Put legends Steve Price and Jamie Lyon under an unproven leader. Assembled undisciplined firebrands Lodge, Hetherington, and Mason - four sin bins and two send-offs. Admitted being "a real underdog as I don't know the players." Favouritism over football smarts.
"The Cleary Believer Award"	Muddogz	Built around Nathan Cleary. Proved current form matters. Still couldn't overcome the halves investment leaving gaps elsewhere.
"The Little General Award"	Warriors55	Stacey Jones drew with Walsh. "The Little General delivers." Completed the Hodges Agency challenge. One-minute snipe on Fifita nearly gave everyone heart attacks.
"The 2025 Performers Award"	Ryno 2.0	Correctly identified Naufahu Whyte (NZ International) and Ethan Strange (Origin contender) as genuine performers. "I messed up with recruiting outside backs" - at least he was honest. 5/10 bench self-rating was fair.

---

OVERHEARD IN THE COACHES BOX

---

ALL-STARS XVII

Selected from all 9 teams based on tournament performance

                    ALL-STARS XVII

           +-----------------------------------+
    TURBO  |           FULLBACK                |
 (Territ.) |       TOM TRBOJEVIC              |
           |       11 tries, impressive        |
           +-----------------------------------+

    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+  +----------+
    |  WING    |  |  CENTRE  |  |  CENTRE  |  |  WING    |
    |  To'o    |  | Crichton |  | Mitchell |  |  Coates  |
    |(Territ.) |  |(Wizards) |  |(Uncivil) |  |(Territ.) |
    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+  +----------+

           +------------------------------------+
           |           HALVES                   |
           |   Lockyer (Uncivil) - JT (Wizards)|
           |                                    |
           +------------------------------------+

    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+
    |  PROP    |  |  HOOKER  |  |  PROP    |
    |  Haas    |  |  Grant   |  |   JFH    |
    |(Territ.) |  |(Territ.) |  |(Defence) |
    +----------+  +----------+  +----------+

    +----------+  +--------------+  +----------+
    | 2ND ROW  |  |     LOCK     |  | 2ND ROW  |
    |  Tallis  |  |   Kennedy    |  |  Kikau   |
    |(Territ.) |  | (Territ.)    |  |(Territ.) |
    +----------+  +--------------+  +----------+

                      BENCH
    +----------+----------+-----------+----------+
    | Smith    | Walsh    | Cronk     |Koloamat. |
    |(Wizards) |(Apex)    |(Uncivil)  |(Uncivil) |
    +----------+----------+-----------+----------+

All-Stars Breakdown by Team:
- Territorial Monsters: 7 selections (Turbo, To'o, Coates, Haas, Grant, Tallis, Kennedy, Kikau) - DOMINANT
- Uncivil Warriors: 3 selections (Lockyer, Mitchell, Cronk, Koloamatangi)
- Gus's Wizards: 2 selections (JT, Crichton, Smith)
- Apex Predators: 1 selection (Walsh)
- Defence's Destroyers: 1 selection (JFH - despite forfeiting, quality player)

---

FINAL QUOTES

---

VOTING RECOMMENDATION

Based on team construction, strategic thinking, and overall balance:

Vote	Team	Manager	Reason
3 pts	Territorial Monsters	Cces	Balanced squad. Undefeated. Grand Final winners. "Pressure like an Anaconda" was genius. Methodical spending on quality players.
2 pts	Uncivil Warriors	Mr. Brownstone	Lockyer-Cronk combination. Lost GF by 4 points. Koloamatangi selection was inspired. Would have won if not for... actually, let HIM tell you about the 5K Herbie debacle.
1 pt	Apex Predators	Naumaifooty	Built around Reece Walsh. He was magnificent. Lost when he didn't have the halves support.

---

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!

Tournament simulation with all players at their career peak.
Territorial Monsters - CHAMPIONS - Balance Beats Brilliance

The most fun wizard of Tauranga has had all year (thought it is still early January...).
The most complaints Mr. Brownstone has made about 5K increments.
The most sin bins Willie Mason has collected in one tournament.
The most favouritism Wrighty has shown to his favourite player.
The most ironic forfeit Defence has committed.

This is just meant to be a bit of fun. The rules should guide us, not trip us up.

Q&A responses sourced from Chris Hodges' interviews with team managers.
Auction details sourced from all 117 pages of Wrighty's Player Agent Game thread.​

Very entertaining & I hate to say it but I came to the same conclusion about the winner

 

[Muddogz]

Muddogz XIII dudded by having two byes in their 7 games. Vlandys really showing his anti Dunedin bias with the draw.

Loved the write up thougj, and I would have picked that team to win it all too.

 

[Chris Hodges]

Muddogz XIII dudded by having two byes in their 7 games. Vlandys really showing his anti Dunedin bias with the draw.

Aaah shit sorry man. i added defence team last minute and that screwed up a couple of things. let me rerun it internally to see if the top 3 changes lol

 

[Chris Hodges]

btw that votes should have been closed for changing and not shown publicly until it was finalised....i can see how people are voting and this way to change the placings by showing votes publically could have been avoided...

 

[Wrighty]

Regarding your summary above Chris Hodges, it was very funny, thank you.

Regarding Starford as captain; I don't regret the choice.

As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet: "This above all: to thine own self be true"