I think one of the issue with the Warriors is Bowden & Ioka haven’t played together. I think if Lemana was there it would have been a lot better having played beside Ioka throughout his juniors. Not to sure how long Lemana is out but definitely would fix the issue they had on the edge
General Warriors SG Ball 2026
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Viking
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I think both of the Large brothers are due to get Dev deals in the next year or two. I doubt they'd have left the Tigers for anything less. Onitoni would turn 19 this year and has run the 100m in 10.7 which is faster than Saab ran officially this season. His speed was elite yesterday. I can see him jumping up to a Dev contract next year. Ashton would turn 18 this year and isn't as fast but quick out of dummy half. He wasn't amazing for the Manly Matts team last year. Lemana is a bit quicker than Ratcliffe but Onitoni would've burnt him as well.
Onitoni is top 30 right now.
He's far too good to be playing SG ball. Doubt he plays more than 2-3 games in this competition. I would say these are just tune up games for him to go straight into NSW cup once that starts and then make his NRL debut this year.
Was out second half of 2024 too.
We don't win that first Harold Matts title if he wasn't injured and played that GF
Yeah he got injured playing rugby
Bowden lacks the wheels and was all at sea defending in the centres
Bit of both, technique, they were way underdone in fitness, both Sea Hag teams rushed up in D and put enormous pressure on our halves. I think a few players were possibly selected in positions were lacking, particularly the centres. The kid who carved us up Onitoni Large is in the Top 30 and possibly starting for the Seagulls in this weeks trial!
Viking
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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.
Teets
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Agree with you there, sucks so much of our rep touch and league is played there. Zero atmosphere and it's always blowing a gale.
Could it be the class of 26 just isn't as good? Shouldn't the focus be on the cup and Flegg side?
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.
And afoa
That jersey flegg team is stacked atm, don't think anybodies going up this year
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
They're a bit light in the forwards though. Can see Bishop, Afoa, Dezman, Tuiloma pushing up. Certainly no one in the backs/halves.
Ratcliffe might (played alot there last year) but I feel like one of the centres group will play there. Only two spots available to Norris, Pasikala, Putoko, Vake, Capper etc.
Hansen might also for half/second row/hooker versatility off the bench
