General Warriors Preseason 2026

Is it too early to be looking to Rd 6 against the Storm?

Were playing them away, but is the air of invincibility gone?

No Paps, NAS, Katoa, Pezet, Coates, even Anderson has been handy too, so their depth is fairly shot atm.

An injury to one of Grant, Munster or Hughes could really throw a spanner in to the works
I can't count the number of times we've thought this about the storm throughout the years. The talk was once Cam Smith, Cronk and Billy went away they would revert to edge 8 status. Then they generate Paps, Hughes and co. So long as Bellamy is at the helm, they always find a way to regenerate and maintain their NRL superpower status. Wouldn't surprise me if that faa'ologo they have on the books for example ends up becoming even better than paps over time.
 
I posted this in the wrong thread before.

Whispers Laban has won an edge spot with Capewell. Leka to be a bench weapon.

If true, love it.

Where was this mentioned? I highly doubt it - Capewell started on the left both trials and captained. Actually I think that has 0% chance of happening. Laban started on the right, but no Marata. I expect Marata to start on the right again unfortunately.

I'm so confused about the use of Halasima. Seems like they are potentially over thinking his position, which worries me TBH. With a 6 man bench, why would they even be thinking about Leka playing some centre. Capewell is there also to plug a hole.
 
I find it interesting that TWL framed it as a near full strength Dolphins team.
With no Hammer, JMK, Saifiti, Plath, Stone & Donaghue it'd say they were far from it
So they were missing their fullback, hooker & three bench players? We were missing our halfback, starting front row, starting winger (and player of the year), and three bench utilities (Demi, niukore, TMM). You could also argue we’re missing our starting centre in Berry.
 
So they were missing their fullback, hooker & three bench players? We were missing our halfback, starting front row, starting winger (and player of the year), and three bench utilities (Demi, niukore, TMM). You could also argue we’re missing our starting centre in Berry.
It wasn't a question of who is missing more, it was that it was framed that the Dolphins were at full strength when they were not.
 
I find it interesting that TWL framed it as a near full strength Dolphins team.
With no Hammer, JMK, Saifiti, Plath, Stone & Donaghue I'd say they were far from it
We were without,

Rts, Akp, Berry, Metcalf, Cht, Martin, Fish, Barney, Demi, Niukore.

We went well I thought we were gonna get a good hiding
 
Just interested why people love it? In the final against the Panthers it sounds like their biggest concern was Leka. I would prefer if he could produce over 80 minutes rather than seeing him relegated to a bench role

50min of Leka and 30-50min of Laban (2nd row/prop) bashing them up sounds great to me, remember how he was a cannon ball vs Dolphins until they broke his leg with a dog shot last year

And I don’t want 80min of Leka weekly until he plays like a turd or Egan’ed
 
Watching the South’s v Manly game and I’d rather have Boyd than Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty.
At least he might get better.
Manly are as much Dads army as us.
I picked them for the spoon and I am going to put some money on at the TAB.
David Fifita is still not getting enough ball.
 
So they were missing their fullback, hooker & three bench players? We were missing our halfback, starting front row, starting winger (and player of the year), and three bench utilities (Demi, niukore, TMM). You could also argue we’re missing our starting centre in Berry.
It wasn't my intention for it to be interpreted as any type of comparison between the two sides. Neither team were at full strength.
Plath has only had 4 games off the bench in his 31 game career though & Jack Bostock, who I failed to mention, is a walk up starter & was also absent.
I think TWL were just trying to help downplay the loss & highlight the positives, which there was plenty
 
Watching the South’s v Manly game and I’d rather have Boyd than Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty.
At least he might get better.
Manly are as much Dads army as us.
I picked them for the spoon and I am going to put some money on at the TAB.
David Fifita is still not getting enough ball.
I think fogs and brooks would look a lot better with our forward pack. Hard to do much with that awful mess of a team. Honestly i think fogs is just a better boyd. Much better kicking, better managment, better passing, better defense, same yips and a worse running game, much slower. Give them Trbojevics and im sure they'll both look a lot better. Still i have them picked for the bottom my bottom 4.
 
Just interested why people love it? In the final against the Panthers it sounds like their biggest concern was Leka. I would prefer if he could produce over 80 minutes rather than seeing him relegated to a bench role
Laban maturing into proper first grade edge back rower is great. Leka is already a strike weapon and will continue to be if used properly.

We benefit from both. There be no need to Leka vs Laban.
 
Laban maturing into proper first grade edge back rower is great. Leka is already a strike weapon and will continue to be if used properly.

We benefit from both. There be no need to Leka vs Laban.
I agree, it doesn’t happen to be one over the other. I just don’t think it should be celebrated that Leka ends up on the bench. I believe that if the Warriors are to win a comp, you need your best attacking player to keep on developing
 
Where was this mentioned? I highly doubt it - Capewell started on the left both trials and captained. Actually I think that has 0% chance of happening. Laban started on the right, but no Marata. I expect Marata to start on the right again unfortunately.

I'm so confused about the use of Halasima. Seems like they are potentially over thinking his position, which worries me TBH. With a 6 man bench, why would they even be thinking about Leka playing some centre. Capewell is there also to plug a hole.

The mail is spurious being high-profile fantasy pods.

But it's a valid talking point. I firmly believe one of Laban or Leka has to start.

Niukore is unsigned, I find that amazing because it means we've not offered what he wants and no one has put pressure on us to do so...

Our forward pack now is at a stage of needing to choose who you leave out rather than who you pick.
 
But it's a valid talking point. I firmly believe one of Laban or Leka has to start.
Given both are likely starting next year without Capewell and Niukore in the picture, I think you rotate them in 7 game blocks with one starting and the other on the bench, while Capewell starts alongside.

Laban certainly suits starting and absorbing early game impact at this stage, but even he's going to fatigue after a couple months. Neither of them are ready for being full season starters and maintaining the same intensity throughout an entire season.

Next year they should be ready for it. Especially with Kayliss behind them with another season under his belt and EIT as alternative second row starter.
 
The mail is spurious being high-profile fantasy pods.

But it's a valid talking point. I firmly believe one of Laban or Leka has to start.

Niukore is unsigned, I find that amazing because it means we've not offered what he wants and no one has put pressure on us to do so...

Our forward pack now is at a stage of needing to choose who you leave out rather than who you pick.
Why can’t they both start? A Leka, Laban back row combo could be up there with the best
 
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