General Your 2025 team

[Noitall]

2025 Crystal Ball: Who will have the biggest impact in their injury return?

The NRL.com writers look ahead to the injury return of several big-name players in 2025 and debate who will have the biggest impact.

www.nrl.com

Good points in here from Corey Rosser regarding Tohu Harris

 

[Noitall]

Premiership Winners

The full record of rugby league and NRL grand final and NRL premiership winners dating back to 1908.

www.nrl.com

Really interesting when you look at the last decade, or even last 5 years of grand finals and premiership winners. Storm really have been the only mainstay of the last decade, roosters to a degree. Once the panthers made the grand final in 2019 and lost, they haven’t looked back since. When you look at their previous opponents before 2024, rabbits, eels and broncos have gone on to underachieve in the following year or years in some cases. Feel like 2023 was similar for us with multiple years missing finals and making it only to stumble in 2024. I’m optimistic with it in my mind as a stumble and not falling off a cliff with our massive injury count and question marks on positions. Some close results that had they gone our way, would have changed the complexion of 2024, not to mention some mental hurdles with a win over panthers and a freakish moment away from a win over storm

 

[Ref]

I am just watching a replay of the Magic Round v Panthers..
We are epic.
A blueprint for the future.
SJ and Tohu out.
TT and TMM directing play.
Just a great winning style.

 

[Noitall]

I am just watching a replay of the Magic Round v Panthers..
We are epic.
A blueprint for the future.
SJ and Tohu out.
TT and TMM directing play.
Just a great winning style.

Watching it myself. Had forgotten that nice floating pass from CNK for the first try

 

[John Nick]

Watching it myself. Had forgotten that nice floating pass from CNK for the first try

Watching it myself.
My biggest take is how bad Rith were

 

[Inruin]

I am just watching a replay of the Magic Round v Panthers..
We are epic.
A blueprint for the future.
SJ and Tohu out.
TT and TMM directing play.
Just a great winning style.

Add Walker to TT and TMM as well. I thought those three worked very well together.

 

[John Nick]

Add Walker to TT and TMM as well. I thought those three worked very well together.

Please remember that Penrith probably had their worst game for many years.

 

[Noitall]

Watching it myself.
My biggest take is how bad Rith were

Still see this as our best period of the season to go on and beat a top 4 dolphins side the following week, which is up next. Whether they were bad or not, I think even beating them is a reward to know psychologically that we can do it

 

[Inruin]

Still see this as our best period of the season to go on and beat a top 4 dolphins side the following week, which is up next. Whether they were bad or not, I think even beating them is a reward to know psychologically that we can do it

And then we smashed the Cowboys in Townsville. People can make any kind of excuses they want but the fact is prior to that Panthers game we were playing very poorly and quite one dimensional. For that run of games their was some excitement back, good play with direct hard running, centres and back rowers hitting holes instead of going sideways, a variation in our kicking game that led to opposition pressure, repeat sets and try assists. I don't think enough credit is given to the side and individual players, including the youth stepping up, that they made our opposition look quite average at times. Add the other games we win following those three games and I think three games we lost by two or less points and it was easily our best period of the season and against good sides. All of that makes me fairly optimistic for this coming season.

 

[John Nick]

Still see this as our best period of the season to go on and beat a top 4 dolphins side the following week, which is up next. Whether they were bad or not, I think even beating them is a reward to know psychologically that we can do it

Didn't help the seasons end result though unfortunately .

 

[Noitall]

And then we smashed the Cowboys in Townsville. People can make any kind of excuses they want but the fact is prior to that Panthers game we were playing very poorly and quite one dimensional. For that run of games their was some excitement back, good play with direct hard running, centres and back rowers hitting holes instead of going sideways, a variation in our kicking game that led to opposition pressure, repeat sets and try assists. I don't think enough credit is given to the side and individual players, including the youth stepping up, that they made our opposition look quite average at times. Add the other games we win following those three games and I think three games we lost by two or less points and it was easily our best period of the season and against good sides. All of that makes ne fairly optimistic for this coming season.

Totally agree. 9 of our starting 13 out in this dolphins game, and without the go forward of AFB. Easily our best period of the season. Cowboys game on following this one

 

[Inruin]

Totally agree. 9 of our starting 13 out in this dolphins game, and without the go forward of AFB. Easily our best period of the season. Cowboys game on following this one

Prior to the Panthers game we were looking at the draw wondering where the next win would come from. Basically season on the line stuff and for a few of those games, like you say, makeshift teams. That period really got us somewhat back on track. Unfortunately AW didn't seem to read it well and as much as SJ has been a great player his injury and form didn't warrant his selection and twice he came back for poor losses to then sit out the next game

 

[Noitall]

Prior to the Panthers game we were looking at the draw wondering where the next win would come from. Basically season on the line stuff and for a few of those games, like you say, makeshift teams. That period really got us somewhat back on track. Unfortunately AW didn't seem to read it well and as much as SJ has been a great player his injury and form didn't warrant his selection and twice he came back for poor losses to then sit out the next game

Something very odd in the titans thrashing too. Almost like a protest in SJ being selected? Love the guy, but there were times he shouldn’t have played when he was selected

 

[Inruin]

Something very odd in the titans thrashing too. Almost like a protest in SJ being selected? Love the guy, but there were times he shouldn’t have played when he was selected

That was my perception too. I do wonder how much friction there was between SJ and AFB too - Daly M, Warriors POTY.... Ultimately, as much as I loved having the number 1 prop in the game playing for us and the potential of SJ 2023, I can't help but think we look like a stronger proposition with JFH and his leadership, mana, team spirit etc which will lift the young guys as much as the rest of the squad. These young guys have had a taste now and will be better for it. Tohu hopefully fully fit and firing for maybe a final season . RTS to the wing is the right move - assuming that's what is happening. I think TMM and Metcalf can be a very good halves combination. Our pack looks strong. The biggest issues, similar to this year will be how many injuries we get and to who, and also whether our assistant coaches are the right fit. I'm actually really amped for the first few rounds to see the team hopefully show what they can do.

 

[Noitall]

That was my perception too. I do wonder how much friction there was between SJ and AFB too - Daly M, Warriors POTY.... Ultimately, as much as I loved having the number 1 prop in the game playing for us and the potential of SJ 2023, I can't help but think we look like a stronger proposition with JFH and his leadership, mana, team spirit etc which will lift the young guys as much as the rest of the squad. These young guys have had a taste now and will be better for it. Tohu hopefully fully fit and firing for maybe a final season . RTS to the wing is the right move - assuming that's what is happening. I think TMM and Metcalf can be a very good halves combination. Our pack looks strong. The biggest issues, similar to this year will be how many injuries we get and to who, and also whether our assistant coaches are the right fit. I'm actually really amped for the first few rounds to see the team hopefully show what they can do.

Yeah I think so too regarding AFB and SJ. A lot to train hard for these young guys to be apart of round 1 in Las Vegas

 

[Neo]

Please remember that Penrith probably had their worst game for many years.

The Warriors did a great job of containing their back 3 though. Their game plan was very deliberate, they controlled the tempo well. I think they did a great job of frustrating Penrith

 

[John Nick]

The Warriors did a great job of containing their back 3 though. Their game plan was very deliberate, they controlled the tempo well. I think they did a great job of frustrating Penrith

Not disputing that.
Also thought TMMs involvement went up without SJ in the team.IMO

 

[Neo]

Not disputing that.
Also thought TMMs involvement went up without SJ in the team.IMO

Yeah and although he and CNK were far from perfect, i thought the way they came forward on to the ball was a key. Rather than being a stationary first receiver and working to parts of the field, it felt like there was a bit more energy at all times

 

[John Nick]

Yeah and although he and CNK were far from perfect, i thought the way they came forward on to the ball was a key. Rather than being a stationary first receiver and working to parts of the field, it felt like there was a bit more energy at all times

My take also. At 6 tmm looked lost.
Much better game at 7.Kicking was okay too

 

[Noitall]

2025 Crystal Ball: Who is most likely to end title drought?

The NRL.com experts discuss which long-suffering fanbase has the best chance of witnessing a drought-breaking premiership in 2025.

www.nrl.com

Looks like some are very encouraged for what 2025 could bring for Warriors