General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Brightman]

I haven't seen the footage, but what did you notice re Gannon and the wrestling...does he look a bit behind the 8 ball?

He doesn't know what he's doing, it seems like the SL doesn't really do the wrestling training like the NRL.
But he has the physical tools so can learn the techniques, I wouldn't be concerned it's more he's coming into a new setup and a more technically advanced way to play the game and just needs a little time to familiarise himself.

He'll have confidence in himself, it's clear the coaches/recruiters and players do and that's probably the most important facet at this stage..

 

[Brightman]

The only one I really saw was TSS getting the better of him in a wrestle but thought he looked good and TSS looking strong physically. Niukore is another in great physical condition, looking big and strong

Yeah Niukore looks to be determined to make his mark this season! Hope he does..

 

[Viking]

He is 17 years old. He's still growing? Why would you think he won't get any taller?

Because he's been that height for the last 3 years. I hope I'm wrong and he grows a bit more.

115kgs is about as heavy as an NRL player would want to be. The game is too fast for anything over 120kgs IMO.

 

[Noitall]

He doesn't know what he's doing, it seems like the SL doesn't really do the wrestling training like the NRL.
But he has the physical tools so can learn the techniques, I wouldn't be concerned it's more he's coming into a new setup and a more technically advanced way to play the game and just needs a little time to familiarise himself.

He'll have confidence in himself, it's clear the coaches/recruiters and players do and that's probably the most important facet at this stage..

Interesting the talk with Barnett, his first thought was Gannon seen as an 80 minute middle which gives me the impression he is the Walker replacement as was touted but an 80 minute option, probably closer to the Tohu Harris role? He then mentions him as an edge forward too which makes me think they might use him off the bench initially when in first grade? The success of Erin Clark has probably given them some food for thought, but then Clark can play a straight up prop too when the time comes and has the advantage of having a bit of ball playing from there too

 

[Brightman]

Interesting the talk with Barnett, his first thought was Gannon seen as an 80 minute middle which gives me the impression he is the Walker replacement as was touted but an 80 minute option, probably closer to the Tohu Harris role? He then mentions him as an edge forward too which makes me think they might use him off the bench initially when in first grade? The success of Erin Clark has probably given them some food for thought, but then Clark can play a straight up prop too when the time comes and has the advantage of having a bit of ball playing from there too

Likely the coaching staff sees him in the Isiah Yeo/Tohu Harris mould, sure looks likely to me..

 

[Noitall]

Because he's been that height for the last 3 years. I hope I'm wrong.

Not sure if it’s an illusion in the picture but Laban towers above everyone here at the back. Looks like he’s grown or whether he’s standing on something?

 

[Teets]

He got the game against the bulldogs at 7 but Tanah Boyd at 7 didn’t get a lot of results either when he took Metcalf’s place. Plenty for TMM to train hard for, they could use him at 7 until Metcalf is healthy?

I'm optimistic about a big season once Lukey Met gets back but this first stretch of games with Tanah Boyd at 7 is a worry.

I'll take any win percentage above 50% while Bilbo's in the 7.


.

 

[Noitall]

I'm optimistic about a big season once Lukey Met gets back but this first stretch of games with Tanah Boyd at 7 is a worry.

I'll take any win percentage above 50% while Bilbo's in the 7.


.

Credit where it’s due that Boyd will be full of confidence from some first grade, playing his first taste of finals, a great season in nsw cup and looks to be in great shape but that game against knights is hard to shake from the memory bank where Halasima saved him and I wouldn’t really say he did anything to cement his spot last season as the player to fill the void until Metcalf is fit. Roosters first then raiders isn’t an easy task in the first two without the others we play before Metcalf is healthy and then you hope everything hits the ground running as soon he returns? If TMM is locked in as he seems to be, we had some success with him at 7 last year which I wouldn’t be surprised to see him and CHT as the pairing to start the season? TMM looks fit and like he’s really brought into where the team are headed

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Yeah Niukore looks to be determined to make his mark this season! Hope he does..

Contract season will do that

 

[Noitall]

Contract season will do that

Salary has been on the higher side but I haven’t minded his time with the club. With interest in players like NAS and Moale, I wouldn’t be against him earning an extension as a middle forward enforcer on a smaller salary if he has a good season

 

[kos]

Its TMM and jacko ford. Followed by Kai kara france

Jacko has a Paul Gallen motor

 

[Playdaball]

View attachment 15182


Not sure if it’s an illusion in the picture but Laban towers above everyone here at the back. Looks like he’s grown or whether he’s standing on something?

Standing on Stacey Jones - not in the pic

 

[cock_o]

View attachment 15182


Not sure if it’s an illusion in the picture but Laban towers above everyone here at the back. Looks like he’s grown or whether he’s standing on something?

I did read that he was putting in the hard yards in the gym before Xmas to put on some height before next season.

 

[Wrighty]

I did read that he was putting in the hard yards in the gym before Xmas to put on some height before next season.

I think that is a tall story.

 

[John Nick]

I think that is a tall story.

Yeah Wrighty. Sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.

 

[Riz]

I think that is a tall story.

Well done

 

[Bay39er]

Yeah Wrighty. Sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.

Come on guys - put it in the right thread. I've started a Humour thread

Merry Christmas to all

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Interesting the talk with Barnett, his first thought was Gannon seen as an 80 minute middle which gives me the impression he is the Walker replacement as was touted but an 80 minute option, probably closer to the Tohu Harris role? He then mentions him as an edge forward too which makes me think they might use him off the bench initially when in first grade? The success of Erin Clark has probably given them some food for thought, but then Clark can play a straight up prop too when the time comes and has the advantage of having a bit of ball playing from there too

You can’t change the Dally M lock - Clarke. He has proven himself and the lock position must be his.

Which means Gannon needs to either play limited lock minutes or in the second row.

 

[snake77]

View attachment 15182


Not sure if it’s an illusion in the picture but Laban towers above everyone here at the back. Looks like he’s grown or whether he’s standing on something?

I'm trying to decide if he's the tall guy at the back playing peek a boo. Or he's the guy forgotten about and was lucky to jump at the time the photo was taken.

It does look funny with this one guy at the back towering over them.

He could have built a little sand hill to stand on. It looks pretty sturdy out there.

 

[Wrighty]

You can’t change the Dally M lock - Clarke. He has proven himself and the lock position must be his.

Which means Gannon needs to either play limited lock minutes or in the second row.

I have been thinking about the 2nd row. It is wide open for someone to grab the second spot beside Capewell. I don’t think they prefer Niukore at 2nd row. Hand on heart Webster would prefer him as a high class bench middle. He said in his interview Leka will not be playing 80. The door is half open for Gannon to make a run for the 11 jersey. And even if niukore starts the year Gannon will be in line as second row depth as we lacked second row depth last season especially when one of them filled in at centre.