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I want Api to play also. More for the same reason I wanted Ponga to play last week. Sometimes having a hamstrung half injured star player is better than playing against a fully fit replacement player.

Haha Those guys combined “on the Roosters cap” probably only account for $1m between them. No cap no worries!

I agree O’Neill looks the most likely. The fact he isn’t signed on anything more than a development deal for 2024 is a worry though. He is an obvious talent but there is no rush to sign/extend him by the looks of it which is strange. I think Woods is in the top 30 already next year. Maybe there...

I think the the current top 5 and the Roosters fill the first 6 spots. With about 8 teams fighting it out for 7 & 8. The Wahs are in the mix but they need to pickup their game soon. They don’t seem at the same level they were last year.

Tigers have turned a huge corner with their Recruitment and Retention. Their Spine next year looks perfect. Two experienced top shelf quality with two young guns ready to explode.

Not that contracts mean much these days. But Williston is under contract for another year

I think unless an option for a quality game managing 7 comes along I think things will be a bit quiet for the dogs this offseason. I think upgrading some contracts and promoting from within will be us moving forward. I still hope we go and find a couple of cheap no nonsense big bodied props...

there is a reason he was hardly sited in first grade at Canberra after he signed with us. Some were saying it was because Ricky got the shits he was leaving. Anything I have seen since that shows that’s not the reason. He is a bog average reserve grader who won the lotto when we signed him. The...

I don’t know to much about DSF but Sutton level is Reserve grade. And average reserve grader at that. He is nowhere near NRL standard. We would need a catastrophic injury toll for Sutton to first grade for us again.

on this years form I wouldn’t swap him for either of them. His on way leas than both of them. He is basically on half the wage of Grant and playing better. API is playing well to start the year but so is Reed. You are a hard one to please if you are looking at Reed as a problem on this years form.

If we were still in 2023 I would agree with a lot of what you are saying. Reed was underwhelming for my thoughts last season but this season he has been one of the best hookers on the game. Indeed one of our best and most consistent players. His defence has improved out of site and is work rate...

Taaffe is very vocal when playing fullback directing the defensive line. I don’t see a problem with him calling the shots at 7. Burton does need to find some thing in this are also though. He needs to find his voice a lot more.

I think I’m three to four weeks he slips further down the list. I agree his low footy IQ and error’s is what will stop him ever being more than a depth backup. Faamausili & Kautoga are both ahead of him for a bench spot and From round 11 Todd & Hopoi both go ahead of him. Unless we have a major...

if Mann if fit he is 100% back in there somewhere. I think Mann at 13. Curran & Hutch to the bench and Taaffe into 7.

Without saying it in as many words. He actually praised our recruitment by acknowledging the quality in our team

The scramble and effort on effort attitude has improved dramatically this year. We are missing tackles and allowing way too many offloads and allowing 2nd phase play. Yet still being there and turning up for each other. The change in attitude across the board is noticeable. If we can improve...

He is being eased in thus far but I think he is ready for bigger minutes. Given our real lack of size available. I would love to see Hughes used off the bench. Coming on around the 25min mark and then play out the last 55-60 minutes of the game. He is big, fit and to me looks like a real...

He was extended in the preseason for another 2 years. He is signed until the end of 2026.

Unless Mooney comes the other way. No way we should let him go. That being said I still think he is our best option at 7. Clearly CC doesn’t.

3. Reed 2. Tracey 3. Kiraz minus 1000000 whoever is in control of the music that played at the stadium in stoppage of play. Absolutely sh#t and embarrassing for rugby league. It was a zero pump up playlist more inline with netball.

As a collective if the Bulldogs catch fire before the team is picked. I cannot see any of boys being picked. I think Mag will mix things up a bit from previous years teams but not that much. Crichton would be the only hope imo. however he is up against a real big list of quality at centre...

Hutch worries me every time he plays. The concept that he is there over Sexton for his defence regardless of his lack of attack is just wrong. He is no better defensively than Sexton. with reports that Sexton will be running around with the green machine next week make these selections even worse.

The sooner the NRL implement a fixed panel for Bunker the inconsistency in decisions will keep happening. There should be a 5 man Bunker who officiate every game. The same 5 for every game in the round. Made up with 2 Ex players, 2 x Refs and one head of the Bunker. None of them can communicate...

Hopefully between IMB, Todd & Marshall at least one if not all can take the next step. We as well as the whole NRL are so short on Middles. If we can promote from within the future is bright.

With Mann still out. Play Hutch to 13 Taaffe at 7 with either Sexy or KK at 14 Curran who isn’t a prop needs to play there with King not available.

The team picked will be as per normal. I just hope the necessary changes are made before kickoff. Hutch to 13. Taaffe to 7 with Sexton playing 14. I doubt they played Sexton at 9 in cup last week if he was in the frame for 7. So it’s between Sexy & KK for the 14 role I think.

Step up Jack Todd!

01. Tracey 02. Kiraz 03. Xerri 04. Crichton 05. JAC 06. Burton 07. Taaffe 08. Hughes 09. Reed 10. Faamausili 11. Kikau 12. Curran 13. Mann 14. Hayward 15. Kautoga 16. Morrin 17. Patolo

I think Hutch can still play a role off the bench in the 17. However CC needs to act now and not wait like he did with Perham last year. Whether it’s Taaffe, Sexy or KK he needs to try something different NOW.

Xerri on the left definitely looks like a more suited game style and works well with Fox & Kiks. Crichton did lol a bit lost on the right though. I am hoping that when Preston is back in the fold the right side can gel better. I think the lack of speed on the right is a contributor to it...

He didn’t have the greatest year with us last season. However this year I see the complete opposite of your post. He has really stepped up his game this year and imo has been one of the reasons we are playing better as a team. My only thing against him and it’s not really against him. Is that...

I think the gapping hole left at centre with him not there will see Taaffe or potentially Tracey at fullback when fit. Crichton is was to valuable at centre defensively to not have him there.

Todd was super impressive in the trial but he isn’t in the Top 36 players so won’t be available until round 11 or whatever round it is.

Makes no sense at all. The relevant cover on the extended bench is limited also if it’s just a ploy.

NSW 1. Papenhuyzen 2. To’o 3. Best 4. Crichton 5. Turbo 6. Luai 7. Cleary 8.RCG 9. Api 10. Haas 11. Murray 12. Martin 13. Yeo 14. Egan 15. Paulo 16. Koloamatangi 17. Olakau'atu

We will see how this stands up when the team is announced. If CC doesn’t want to mess with the defence. Crichton 100% plays at Centre. Pulling Crichton out of centre where he is arguably the best in the game, both sides of the ball. Simply to do a role for 1 week at fullback where he isn’t...

Whether it’s Lomax or anyone else for that matter. Fox cannot be selected for NSW. Fox is a long way from Origin level in the last 18 months. I don’t know if he is carrying injury or is mentally selling his brand more than playing footy. He is barely in the top two wingers at the dogs on form...

It won’t be as disruptive as it seems this week. Wilson & JAC both come back in. That being said I see it as the perfect opportunity to promote Joash. Give him the brief that it’s for 1 week only. Play your natural game. No pressure about playing well or your dropped. Just give him some...

1. Papalii 2. Wilson 3. Kiraz 4. Crichton 5. JAC 6. Burton 7. Sexton

Ciraldo makes changes at glacial speed. There is no way he will make unforced mass changes (or any unforced changes at all) The alarming answer to the question CC was asked for mine. Was he would make Gus have the difficult conversation with the player getting dropped if Gus was picking the...

Burton’s roll in the side is the reason everyone else is having to move around. Hutch is in the side for defence. Bringing Sexton or Taaffe into halfback leaves us defensively vulnerable in the halves with Burton a weak defender also. Surely it’s time we play our best possible team and stop...

Good post Taaffe whilst not the superstar everyone on the TK wants to have has impressed me. With his footy IQ and ability to read the game. Watching the first few games this season, yes he is a bit heart in mouth when the ball goes high. However his contribution in defence from his verbal...

The Fox of old might have scored. When was the last time you saw Fox back himself? Last year he started cutting back inside and taking the tackle. Then kicked off the Parramatta game with the one chance he got by not backing himself. I’m not getting the knives out for Fox but he is not the...

I was pushing for Xerri from the start but watching him in Reggies he hasn’t helped himself with some of his defensive reads. Whenever Fox is back I would have Taaffe at 7 and Tracey at 1. This won’t happen as CC doesn’t make unforced changes ever.

Second phase play will be our biggest killer. At the backend of both the Parra & Sharks game it was our inability to shut the ball down that saw us on the back foot with holes in our defensive line. That being said particularly the Parra game everything the through out the back found a player...

Getting an even share of possession and field position is the key. For years now our poor discipline and errors see us defending and burning energy early. Then having nothing left in the tank later in games. Yes getting back to back try’s helps but we need to be able to win the arm wrestle in...

How long since we kept a team to zero at all? Belmore was 1996 but I can’t remember the last time this happened at any ground.

This won’t be the first Food Friday game that Mitchell comes into not playing well. He seems to find form in this game. i really hope the club have put in an official request to make this game a Sutton free game. It’s an absolute rort how the Suttons are in control of this game every year.

Whether it’s a deliberate premeditated choice or a subconscious decision made on the fly by referees. The 50/50 calls will always be at least 70/30 to the better team. If the team expected to win does win. The talk of any bad calls made against the lesser team post match is much less than if...

Reality is we very rarely play more than 40-50 minutes. If we don’t get early points and at least a 50% possession in the first half. Our mistakes and dumb football will catch-up on us late in the game.

Agree we were much better for a lot of the game on Friday. The game goes for 80 minutes and we will always get the rough end of the 50-50 calls until we can step up and take that out of the equation. I think we are definitely showing a resolve in defence. Which is a big attitude improvement...

Xerri will come in at right centre Wilson & Kiraz on the wing. Crichton to stay at left centre. Is how I think CC will roll. I would bring in Xerri for Fox, Burton left centre, Crichton right centre & Wilson right wing. I think Kiraz still isn’t right.

I have no problem with this. However some of the off-season spent at fullback would have been needed. He is too lazy off the ball to last a full game at fullback currently. Let’s be honest. When the team gets announced tomorrow it will be the same team picked as last week. With injuries the...

Agree!This is exactly what will happen.

6. Hutch 7. Sexton

Tracey to replace him this week. Sexton to 7 Taaffe to play 7 in Reggie’s. His confidence and issues at Fullback will not be there playing half back.

Kikau is not a bodyguard type defender. He is a solid defender but lacks the lateral movement to be covering a weak defender. Agree Preston is better on the Left. Has Kikau ever played on the right? I think both Kikau & Burton both left side players that don’t know where the right side is. The...

This was my only thought of optimism for this season. It was clear that we are short in the middle and lack quality in the halves. I have been hoping that a different approach, a different style would have been developed in the offseason. The trial against the Sharks showed no signs of it...

It’s frustrating that he doesn’t actually process what has happened on the field in any press conference. He is a glass is always full kind of guy. Until he takes a good look at what happens and starts addressing glaring deficiencies. Nothing is going to change. How he can come into every...

Our general footy IQ hasn’t changed one bit. Until our big money players play to their value we are in for a long season.

I don’t realistically see us breaking into the 8 this season. Being competitive is what I do want to see. Last year going into games just hoping we can get with in 30 points is not how I want to see my team! Wanting it more than the other team. Doing the basics well, being disciplined and...

Sexton doesn’t need to be quick to be considered quick when comparing him to Hutch. There is the age old question that never gets answered. “Who is the quickest player in the NRL?” If there was a race to determine the slowest player in the NRL. Hutch would be odds on in the betting.

Defence is the reason for sure. Sexton whilst not a world beater is the better option in almost every other aspect. I guess CC has to make this call based on our defensive atrocities from last season. Burton is also a big body also but defensively deficient. I think Sexton misses out on the...

He gets more media attention by not being picked. I really hope we put it together on Saturday and start the season well. Some of CC’s selections for me are a concern. He seems to make the same sort of selection errors over and over and doesn’t learn from the mistakes. He is loyal to his...

Tracey will slot in somewhere, Oloapu is a next season at best proposition & Fifita is a depth signing at best.

I just hope there is a mystery game plan that wasn’t exposed in the trials. That bench is way too light.

I think the topic of Crichton at fullback conversation has glossed over the fact he clearly isn’t 100% fit. The fact he only played 20 minutes in a trial is a bit alarming. He is clearly still carrying his quad problem. Which totally rules any chance of him playing fullback with the extra work...

I think the SST boat has sailed. Even if he was fit and ready to go. I don’t think he would be interested in coming here.

Outside of his Debut game. Point me in the direction of another NRL game to watch, where he played centre and was any better than average? I really hope he proves me wrong but Kiraz is a winger not a centre.

I really hope I am proven wrong on the Kiraz to centre thing. If he gets picked there. I have never seen anything in him other than on the wing. I would have all the below guys ahead of him at centre: Crichton Xerri Tracey Burton Samrani Clark

Most people can see this Mahoney shouldn’t be playing 80 minutes. But unless the coach can see it. (I’m not convinced he does) Nothing will change. I am just be a punter in the crowd and not a coach at every training session. Whilst I agree with the concept of being a good trainer with a good...

If Tracey plays it will be at fullback for Taaffe. I can’t see them picking Tracey anywhere without a run under his belt. Xerri had done enough to be picked at centre along side Crichton. Crichton is carrying a quad injury so the likelihood of him picking up the extra workload at fullback. To...

It’s not a matter of getting them the ball as quick as possible. It’s a case of playing straight, going deep into the line prepared to be hit. Ball in both hands attracting defenders giving the outside men space to work with. The halves need to show courage.

That is close. But the bench is way too light.

I agree with Reed not being an 80min option to be effective. Whether it be Mann or someone else in the 14. I hope the coach can step out of his set ways and see this himself. Giving him the break he needs. It will never happen but I actually think Reed would be best used as the biggest minute...

Benjamin Te Kura playing for Brisbane tonight also looks promising. Although he is locked up for a 3 years. But not likely to see first grade at the Broncos.

Because we have no size or quality in the middle. We are going get dominated through the middle again this year and there is nothing our star backline will be able to do unfortunately. As for the game plan. We are playing a bog standard game plan. With it being plainly clear we are very...

1. Taaffe (not great last night but Tracey clearly isn’t ready. Crichton only playing 20m to me says he isn’t ready for fullback either.) 2. Wilson (get Kiraz 100% fit first) 3. Xerri 4. Crichton 5. Fix 6. Burton (still not convinced he has it. But nobody else is really jumping out) 7. Sexton...

It’s a trial game. Whoever starts doesn’t really matter. I’m sure on most of the positions that are up for grabs will be shared about. Curran and Salmon, Hutch and Sexy etc. they will all probably get 40min each to show their stuff.

Based on Salmon’s game last week. If he maintains that form against the sharks this week. I think injuries aside Curran & Salmon will rotate between starting at 13 and bench through the season. Both can cover back row to give Kiks & Preston a breather. Which could leave Mann in tough spot. I...

I don’t mind this team. The only change I would make would be Kautoga play him as a middle in the place of Knight.

The single biggest benefit to improving Burton’s game is for him to run straight. His first movement is always sideways. Shortening up the attack. Playing direct and straight is the key to creating space. Burton more than most could really benefit from working on playing straight and providing...

Agree! this is the best combination option for the TEAM. But unfortunately other factors and factions don’t agree and will persist with the experiment until it works, or it’s too late and another season goes past us by the time it’s recognised. I think this would see Crichton pushed to...

I don’t think Kiraz will play in the Trial. Hopefully fit for round 1. On the Wing! He is Out and out winger not a centre! Show me a game he has ever played at centre where he was better than average. Why is everyone so obsessed with moving him from a position he excels at. To play a position...

I do rate Wilson. His only downside is his lack of game awareness. A natural ability of reading the play, is an almost a given in players that make it to grade, let alone NRL level. So it’s not something people talk about. For me it’s super noticeable that Wilson’s ability to think outside of...

I think Wilson’s only real chance is if Kiraz still has fitness/injury issues and is not ready. Tracey has the same concerns and I think he will miss out regardless. I also think Tracey is ahead of Wilson in the pecking order. Without injuries. The likes of Wilson & Skeleton will be spending...

Tyrell May from what I understand had a good offer on the table from us. He stalled holding out for something better. Showing no will or desire to come. I don’t care how good a player is. If they don’t want to be a Bulldog and buy in as a Bulldog. We don’t want them. The May boat has sailed!

I think this is close to the mark. Agree on Tracey. He would have been in pole position for the fullback spot for round if not injured. The fact Taaffe has trained and played well there on Thursday. Also makes it a more likely he will get the nod.

Reeds biggest problem is he tries to hard. He is absolute quality that just needs some friendly coaching advise. I think everyone watching can see he overplays his hand too often. Everyone can see he needs a breather for his game to be at its best. I’m not sure the coaching sees either of...

The bomb is only good when he lands it in the right place. His bomb is hard to defend when the opponent doesn’t know where it’s going. The issue is Burton has no clue where it’s going either. His Bomb should be used very sparingly imo. I also think Crichton will be playing right side. Xerri...

I agree with the captaincy thing. I don’t see it as an age thing though. From what I see Burton isn’t a captain personality. He certainly shouldn’t have the captaincy to worry about on any level. I think the Ben Hunt reference is a good one showing what Burton lacks. Even when Hunt is in a...

Agree finding the right team early before the season has slips away is important. CC Making what might be tough decisions on what is actually happening on the field. Not looking at names or reputations.

Whether or not they’re the best selections. JAC will be the first winger picked. Burton will be 6. This is a given. Curran & Salmon will swap out the lock spot looking at it. Curran isn’t a Prop. Hutch & Sexy are both different styles of players. However having two lefties in the halves isn’t...

Agree the backs will sort themselves out. Whether they are all ready for the week in week out riggers on the NRL I’m not sure. But the second line on Props coming through was encouraging to see. Before last night I had King, Knight & Hughes inked in with a lottery for who else filled the...

The key is going to be how we bring these guys through. There is one thing having a good crop of juniors. However selecting the right players to bring through at the right time is critical.

After watching us for the last few years. Saying we should beat anyone comfortably doesn’t resonate with me. Trial or not. I just want a solid team performance where everyone puts in. With no injuries.

The club don’t want to pay for Shirts to be made. The sponsors pay to have the shirts produced and then some. The club then sell them for 100% profit. It’s nowhere near as appealing for the club to organise and pay for the shirts themselves.

They don’t waste the Sutton Brothers on us in a trial that doesn’t matter

The surrounding infrastructure is more important than the actual stadium. Location, Location, Location. A stadium cannot just be put up without public transport, parking and surrounding roads able to cope. So the costs associated with that make it prohibitive. The Stadium itself is the cheap...