General Warriors SG Ball 2026

[Five&Last]

Bowden wasnt on his edge, that was Soane, Connor had Rico, I think both halves need to step up big time, if they have any chance of moving forward

Yup and Soane got dropped for this weeks game. Connor is absolutely huge but isn't the quickest off the mark, can look like he has cement blocks tied to his feet at times. He's definitely a centre over winger in my eyes though.

Rico and Hinckley need to step up. Only seen Rico play number 7 in the U18's for Canterbury and can't say I saw a huge amount of game management. Talented kid though and great runner so hopefully he gets there.

 

[Five&Last]

This group is extremely young a lot of players from last year’s winning Harold Matts team are playing a year up. It’s highly unlikely that Neal will play Ball next year similar too Jack Thompson this year. It’s why we haven’t had a lot of success in this grade.

It's Justice Pua, Hinckley Ioka, Amasio Tiatia, Bishop Neal, Krushil Koteka, Tysen Hansen which is 6.

Then Justice Pua probably doesn't make the side if Lemana is fit which is a wash.

Soane Maasi also a year younger who would be in my full strength but had a shocker on the weekend.

Most teams will have around 5 that at are a year younger for team continuity and development.

 

[Leon Black]

Nah, neither team is unfit or lazy. Game conditioning is lacking and defensive positioning was off and there was a bit of panic footy in the Matts. The Ball boys were outgunned but half the team are bottom age for various reasons.

Both Manly teams had the edge in speed. What young footballers often don't understand is if they don't have the discipline to keep their D line intact and connected to combat the opposing teams speed, they'll end up doing a shitload of extra defending and no amount of fitness will make a difference.

Anyone that's played at Bruce Pulman knows it's a windy shithole of a ground and it doesn't help that they can't do their captains runs there.

Never quoted they were unfit or lazy, they looked off the pace consistently throughout the game. They will be better for the run.

 

[Worriers]

Yup and Soane got dropped for this weeks game. Connor is absolutely huge but isn't the quickest off the mark, can look like he has cement blocks tied to his feet at times. He's definitely a centre over winger in my eyes though.

Rico and Hinckley need to step up. Only seen Rico play number 7 in the U18's for Canterbury and can't say I saw a huge amount of game management. Talented kid though and great runner so hopefully he gets there.

Notice both you and Leon black saw deficiencies with Bowden. Did you notice this during last weekends game, or has he played in the centres before?
Only because I noticed one, maybe two bad misses from him once from that beast in the centres for manly and once from when he was chasing a kick and had a complete air swing. Can throw a failed intercept in there if you want.
I thought he had a decent game with some big momentum stopping tackles, and also agree centre is his position, but could see him dominate a wing spot with his height and strength also.

 

[Five&Last]

Notice both you and Leon black saw deficiencies with Bowden. Did you notice this during last weekends game, or has he played in the centres before?
Only because I noticed one, maybe two bad misses from him once from that beast in the centres for manly and once from when he was chasing a kick and had a complete air swing. Can throw a failed intercept in there if you want.
I thought he had a decent game with some big momentum stopping tackles, and also agree centre is his position, but could see him dominate a wing spot with his height and strength also.

I just don’t think he’s quick enough for wing at a high level.

Played centre and fullback for Botany Downs. But obviously wing for SG ball last year.

Really struggled turning and chasing on the weekend once they broke the line.

Got a lot of potential though. He’d be 6’4 and 100kg. Huge for an outside back.

I wonder how he stacks up athletically against Ali Leiataua.

 

[Viking]

Never quoted they were unfit or lazy, they looked off the pace consistently throughout the game. They will be better for the run.

You responded to a post asking if they were unfit or lazy with "a bit of both". Sorry if I'm misunderstanding that.

At the game I felt like they were hanging in nicely in the first half. Honestly, at that ground playing into that wind, if you can go into halftime only a try down, you're every chance of pegging it back with the wind behind you. That late try that sent Manly up 10-0 going into halftime was big. Our halves have to figure out how to use that wind to their advantage. Manly did.

 

[cookislandsamurai]

Yup and Soane got dropped for this weeks game. Connor is absolutely huge but isn't the quickest off the mark, can look like he has cement blocks tied to his feet at times. He's definitely a centre over winger in my eyes though.

Rico and Hinckley need to step up. Only seen Rico play number 7 in the U18's for Canterbury and can't say I saw a huge amount of game management. Talented kid though and great runner so hopefully he gets there.

Yeah I think Rico is a hooker aswell

 

[Theking267]

It's Justice Pua, Hinckley Ioka, Amasio Tiatia, Bishop Neal, Krushil Koteka, Tysen Hansen which is 6.

Then Justice Pua probably doesn't make the side if Lemana is fit which is a wash.

Soane Maasi also a year younger who would be in my full strength but had a shocker on the weekend.

Most teams will have around 5 that at are a year younger for team continuity and development.

I guess it won’t be as telling as it was last week against Manly. But Hinckley Ioka was playing against a professional in Onitoni Large where he is still a schoolboy.

 

[Five&Last]

I guess it won’t be as telling as it was last week against Manly. But Hinckley Ioka was playing against a professional in Onitoni Large where he is still a schoolboy.

Going to be Bowden and Sikuvea who get that test this week. Both their centres, Dayne Jennings and Dean Tauaa, will make NRL debuts in 2027 imo.

 

[Damo]

Bowden looks huge?

 

[Leon Black]

Vintage Ratcliffe today, aside from letting bomb bounce for Souths opener. Great line break in lead up to 1st try and then calls the ball out wide and scoots over for a try 8-4, after almost 20 mins. Bishop Neal not playing.

 

[Damo]

Vintage Ratcliffe today, aside from letting bomb bounce for Souths opener. Great line break in lead up to 1st try and then calls the ball out wide and scoots over for a try 8-4, after almost 20 mins. Bishop Neal not playing.

So many Bunnies fans there today.

 

[Leon Black]

Souths score out wide, our winger doing a great DWZ impression, can’t make up whether to jam in or number up. 8-8, 12 left until oranges & pickle juice!

 

[Leon Black]

So many Bunnies fans there today.

Can hear them on the mic calling for penalties, worked in last game

 

[Leon Black]

I’d be dropping no.5 next week…

Lemalie has been way better today. Ioka still not showing same involvement he showed in HM last year.

Ref is letting Souths get away with a lot of shit in the tackle!

 

[Leon Black]

Defence just stood and watched, soft try to Souths 14-8 almost halftime.

 

[Leon Black]

Joey Ratcliffe take a bow, Souths winger looked for all money to be crossing over out wide, pushed into touch, game changing play.

Where do we play him when Lemana is fit and firing? Halftime 14-8 to the Bunny Boilers!

 

[Damo]

Joey Ratcliffe take a bow, Souths winger looked for all money to be crossing over out wide, pushed into touch, game changing play.

He looks like a gun, looking forward to seeing him continue to develop.

 

[Leon Black]

Worst possible start to the half, Lemalie drops kick off cold, 4 plays later Souths score. Conversion unsuccessful 18-8

 

[Leon Black]

This referee needs to have his credentials checked, Ratcliffe gets to his feet and pushed playing the ball, penalty to Souths, they score FFS!!! Bowden is not a centre, again slow and falls for a show and go. Early days but I really do question the coaching of both our sides. 24-8