General Warriors Preseason 2026

[mrblonde]

Was just thinking that, total meme worthy, maybe should be our new logo

#AndrewWahbster

Would it be better if that's his I'ma Kill Ya If Ya Screw Up face or his Hey Chur Bro You Can Screw Up Anytime We Cool face...

I'm hoping it's the second.

Just hoping no babies rupture their Daddy's ACL during the Christmas period by tripping them up. Forget which Kiwi got whacked that way by The Injury Stick...

 

[Defence]

Would it be better if that's his I'ma Kill Ya If Ya Screw Up face or his Hey Chur Bro You Can Screw Up Anytime We Cool face...

I'm hoping it's the second.

Just hoping no babies rupture their Daddy's ACL during the Christmas period by tripping them up. Forget which Kiwi got whacked that way by The Injury Stick...

Kidwell.
The key is in the knee.

 

[Defence]

This seems the best way to settle the fullback debate…

 

[Five&Last]

Bishop is years away. Talent is one thing, but attitude is another. See how he goes against men who are of similar size first. He’ll play 1st grade, no doubt but it won’t be in the next 18 months

If Heamasi Makasini got a run this year at 18 for the Tigers, I would not at all be surprised if Bishop lines up as 18th man in the last few rounds of next season.

I don't think they'll rush him but they will fast track him.

With ball in hand, he would have no problem playing first grade tomorrow in limited minutes if he had to. Defensively he's going to need some help inside and out while he gets used to the faster pace of top level footy.

 

[roguei]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A86f3iR0u28

This made me like AKP a bit more. Heard bad things about his character before he joined but that doesn't look to be the case here (at least for the moment). Also had no idea he had 3 kids already. Makes it an interesting move. And i'm glad he is talking about improving on his involvment during a game.

Also to note, last season they were all about getting the ball in hand during training. So at bethells you saw people doing the dunes while carrying the footy. None of that seemed to exist this year with a bigger focus on fittness. Which is interesting as i don't think that was somthing we lacked last year.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

If Heamasi Makasini got a run this year at 18 for the Tigers, I would not at all be surprised if Bishop lines up as 18th man in the last few rounds of next season.

I don't think they'll rush him but they will fast track him.

With ball in hand, he would have no problem playing first grade tomorrow in limited minutes if he had to. Defensively he's going to need some help inside and out while he gets used to the faster pace of top level footy.

I disagree but that’s cool. He hasn’t even played sg ball, let alone flegg or cup yet. A successful year for him would be making his cup debut, even regular mins for flegg. Hes only 17, and has a lot of development to go. Freak athlete is one thing but can he do it consistently, and deal with those who are his same size, I don’t think so. Physically he’s there, but is he fit enough? Does he have the mental strength to deal with the pressure? Again, I doubt it. There’s also no need to rush him. He’s signed on for years to come, and we’re not exactly short of back rowers. He’s still 18months to 2 years away imo. Leka had a full season of cup before he debuted.

 

[Five&Last]

I disagree but that’s cool. He hasn’t even played sg ball, let alone flegg or cup yet. A successful year for him would be making his cup debut, even regular mins for flegg. Hes only 17, and has a lot of development to go. Freak athlete is one thing but can he do it consistently, and deal with those who are his same size, I don’t think so. Physically he’s there, but is he fit enough? Does he have the mental strength to deal with the pressure? Again, I doubt it. There’s also no need to rush him. He’s signed on for years to come, and we’re not exactly short of back rowers. He’s still 18months to 2 years away imo. Leka had a full season of cup before he debuted.

No one is saying he can do it consistently yet. Giving him a one game taste at the end of the year for 15 minutes is a different story. Or even letting him ride the bench as 18th man.

It’s pretty well documented and proven that exposing them to these arenas early (in short stints) boosts development. This is what develops the mental strength to deal with pressure that you’re talking about

Leka didn’t debut in 2023 because we were in the top 4 hunt and trying to get a top 2 and a qualifying home final.

If we weren’t in that position I think Leka could’ve definitely been picked as a bolter off the bench in the final rounds after the season he had in SG ball and NSW cup in 2023.

Against there has been plenty of 18 year olds making their debut in the last few years.

I think we will be too good of a team in August/September to afford giving his debut this year. But he would definitely not be out of place for a fast tracked 1 game taster.