General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Dannevegas]

He's our best. Then Healey. Then maybe Erin Clarke or maybe not. Then the younger cohort.

Who do you prefer from who we have to choose from?

Healey 9 and Cht/Martin 14.
don’t think we missed Egan at all for that period time he was out, I prefer Healeys tempo around the ruck, he’s always threatening and willing to have a go

 

[Cces]

don’t think we missed Egan at all for that period time he was out

W Cronulla
L Dolphins
L Bulldogs
L Sea Eagles

 

[Damo]

W Cronulla
L Dolphins
L Bulldogs
L Sea Eagles

Ignore him, bloke seems to have a weird hate for Egan.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Cces always brings receipts

 

[WAH MAN]

That's all well and good, but if you are constantly the 5th or 6th man due to you being the next cab off the rank, the player themselves will suffer due to possibly not getting any game time. Multiply that by the 17 teams in the NRL and that's a lot of players potentially missing out on showing their ability.

I think halving the amount of players by limiting it to 5 instead of 6 is the best way forward. Or even require the player to get rotated like the 18th man does.

I get what you mean. Ta

 

[WAH MAN]

Healey 9 and Cht/Martin 14.
don’t think we missed Egan at all for that period time he was out, I prefer Healeys tempo around the ruck, he’s always threatening and willing to have a go

If we have to I'd go with it. I see a need for Healey to get more first grade games under his belt to get the necessary improvements I see he can get. But because he's already debuted I'm ok with him getting starts. Just not over Egan yet because I don't yet see him overtaking Wayde yet.

 

[regenerated borg]

The NRL and tv coverage wanted ratings faster game for entertainment... They didnt factor in injuries, hias with the 4 man bench... some club games were decimated in the past and turned into 1 sided free for alls. So to address it 6 man bench but only 4 can be used What happens late in a game where all 4 have been used ... a seroius hia and/ orl broken limb.. where a player on the bench picked to cover those spots cant be used.. Whats the point?
No one knows what will happen in any game... with these rules how can you cover the unexpected?

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

I reckon keep the status quo, with the only difference being that the 18th man can be activated no matter how the HIA happened

 

[regenerated borg]

I reckon keep the status quo, with the only difference being that the 18th man can be activated no matter how the HIA happened

I agree .. but hia is one thing... what about broken bones ... i dont see the 18th man in the current rules is alowed to be activated... If Ive missed something ..pls fill me in..

 

[Dannevegas]

Ignore him, bloke seems to have a weird hate for Egan.

lol, Hates a strong word, I just think Healey’s better

 

[Brightman]

The NRL and tv coverage wanted ratings faster game for entertainment... They didnt factor in injuries, hias with the 4 man bench... some club games were decimated in the past and turned into 1 sided free for alls. So to address it 6 man bench but only 4 can be used What happens late in a game where all 4 have been used ... a seroius hia and/ orl broken limb.. where a player on the bench picked to cover those spots cant be used.. Whats the point?
No one knows what will happen in any game... with these rules how can you cover the unexpected?

It is all about the sports gambling market. Pundits were getting pissy when their team was affected with HIAs thereby rendering their bets worthless, or the coach was trying to out-fox his opposite by naming an injured player and then scratching them 24 hours before kick-off.

No rule will be perfect and rules can be thwarted, but this will stop a lot of backfire directed at the NRL and bookies..

 

[Noitall]

lol, Hates a strong word, I just think Healey’s better

Egan must be doing something right to have had Harry Grant studying him on engaging defenders. I reckon if Healey bides his time and sponges up all Egan’s advice, he’ll be a top dummy half. Even the jets in nsw cup were often playing Healey off the bench behind Jayden Berrell

 

[Milking!]

Healey 9 and Cht/Martin 14.
don’t think we missed Egan at all for that period time he was out, I prefer Healeys tempo around the ruck, he’s always threatening and willing to have a go

I reckon the expanded bench suits an Egan/Healey 1-2 punch beautifully. Start with Egan - IMO superior service and ruck manipulation that serves the overall team dynamic better - then Healey - more explosive, but his pass needs to be more consistent - punching in off the bench exploiting tiring forwards. I wonder if there’s a world where Heals pops up as a run-and-gun middle for small minutes as well.

 

[Inruin]

It is all about the sports gambling market. Pundits were getting pissy when their team was affected with HIAs thereby rendering their bets worthless, or the coach was trying to out-fox his opposite by naming an injured player and then scratching them 24 hours before kick-off.

No rule will be perfect and rules can be thwarted, but this will stop a lot of backfire directed at the NRL and bookies..

Do you think it will? Or will it mean that the coach will still make changes and possibly even more so given he has a 6 man bench to much around with? Can name fit players now and not play them. Could, at times, see a number of changes before kick off to the starting team using the extended 6 man bench.

 

[Brightman]

Do you think it will? Or will it mean that the coach will still make changes and possibly even more so given he has a 6 man bench to much around with? Can name fit players now and not play them. Could, at times, see a number of changes before kick off to the starting team using the extended 6 man bench.

I think the rule is the NRL responding to the sports betting agencies that sponsor the game, the NRL will have specific conditions to enforce the backend of the rule. Do I think it will work? Yes, but it will be tested and circumvented by the coaches because this is a competition and stakes is high..

 

[Inruin]

I think the rule is the NRL responding to the sports betting agencies that sponsor the game, the NRL will have specific conditions to enforce the backend of the rule. Do I think it will work? Yes, but it will be tested and circumvented by the coaches because this is a competition and stakes is high..

And coaches always look for the loopholes.

Gambling and fantasy football is a big part of the game now.

 

[Falcon]

This might surprise everyone as we discuss the Healey inclusion - Egan - 3rd most dummy half runs in the comp last year behind Bailey and Grant.

 

[Milking!]

It is all about the sports gambling market. Pundits were getting pissy when their team was affected with HIAs thereby rendering their bets worthless, or the coach was trying to out-fox his opposite by naming an injured player and then scratching them 24 hours before kick-off.

No rule will be perfect and rules can be thwarted, but this will stop a lot of backfire directed at the NRL and bookies..

I reckon the intended outcome is a bit all-of-the-above - basically giving coaches more opportunity to mitigate freak injuries and HIAs but also greater tactical possibilities - I think more room for impact hookers, big unit impact props, or just a freak back/half you can roll the dice with to try and turn a game with magic - which in turn makes the best possible on-field product, which better serves the viewing audience and the greater share of punters.
Everything else is in service of that goal - so reduced utility players, ok, less reps for fringies - I’m ok with it.

 

[Brightman]

This might surprise everyone as we discuss the Healey inclusion - Egan - 3rd most dummy half runs in the comp last year behind Bailey and Grant.

So long as Egan doesn't take a heavy head blow he performs well but, those blows have a marked effect on his performance and recovery. Meanwhile Healey comes on and scores tries, granted in garbage time when wear and tear have a smaller window to effect but his performances are enticing.
All said, Healey will be a fantastic replacement for Egan in time and is great depth for now..

 

[Damo]

Gambling and fantasy football is a big part of the game now.

Ha! I was about to say my Fantasy team is going to be more of a shambles than usual.