Round 1 team so far in 2026

[TSP]

My view is Benji has so far done a really good job. I'm just interested in seeing who he has to let go in order to accomodate the big name imports and the big money extension of some of the very good young players he has brought into the NRL, like Bula.

Reasonable minds can reach different conclusions.

 

[TSP]

This seems like reviving a swamp monster from the past and I don't mean to suggest I know all the details but I have to say:

1. I don't think anyone has ever suggested the crimimal justice system is perfect here or anywhere else but in what we have, a person is innocent until proven guilty. Why was JDB stood down? If sponsors didn't like, the NRL should've told them, "In this country a person is innocent until proven guilty."
2. The corrupt cop who lied in order to ensure charges were pressed should've had done time, not just a suspended sentence. Remember in order to try and get his big name scalp he also had to take down an average person, not a big name.
3. Brian Johnston or whichever person or people made the decision to meekly accept the NRLs criminal diktats is the worst of the lot!

I don’t think the stand down laws have really helped the NRL improve its image.

 

[Dragon David]

Yeah, it’s nice to see you and D Dragon David again. I have enormous respect and goodwill for both of you.

I’m just trying to contribute to the broader discussion.

As you might recall, I met JBD during his court case. My impression was, that the prosecution didn’t have their ducks in a row, so I wished him the best and he was very very grateful.

I also spend time with women’s Domestic Violence people, so I’m sensitive and sympathetic to women in trouble.

But the JBD allegations, they weren’t adding up for me.

Everyone deserves a fair go, regardless of any gender, religion or other distinguishing feature. The rule of law, should be for everyone ( and should be far more accessible to folk financially).

But I wouldn’t extend my good will to some other players.

Now we got the bum steer about Bula, he’s still on the loose, but if the forumer got it wrong, that’s Ok. Doesn’t matter!

Thanks TSP for your kind words. Nice to see that guys like you have come over to this great Forum. I'm so glad that Justadragon has found a home here as well. Your comments are very constructive like all on here so I appreciate reading them.

So much has been said about JDB's case. I have said my piece(s) and I have put him out of my head now and I just wish him well with his time at the Eels.

Cheers, DD

 

[TSP]

Thanks TSP for your kind words. Nice to see that guys like you have come over to this great Forum. I'm so glad that Justadragon has found a home here as well. Your comments are very constructive like all on here so I appreciate reading them.

So much has been said about JDB's case. I have said my piece(s) and I have put him out of my head now and I just wish him well with his time at the Eels.

Cheers, DD

Thanks. I’m getting away from some of the bullies over there tbh, withdrawing in places. Life is too short.

I think the NRL has got to the stage of inertia in terms of some of the clubs always being competitive and then there’s the rest.

The cap hasn’t really worked as intended.

I’d like to see a more level playing field, instead of being told how great everything is.

I’ve got ideas but there’s no appetite for change where money is being made.

The NRL executives are raking it in. I’m surprised they can fit into their Porsches.

 

[redv4life]

Thanks. I’m getting away from some of the bullies over there tbh, withdrawing in places. Life is too short.

I think the NRL has got to the stage of inertia in terms of some of the clubs always being competitive and then there’s the rest.

The cap hasn’t really worked as intended.

I’d like to see a more level playing field, instead we get told how great everything is going lol.

So true lol

 

[TSP]

Just related, I think the biggest threat to the league in the recent times was the close call of the dragons players walking out in sympathy for JBD.

That could have changed the game.

Not just for JDB but a message to the NRL High Command to behave!

The dragons are never too far away from enigmatic conduct.

A proud tradition!

 

[GCRV]

Just related, I think the biggest threat to the league in the recent times was the close call of the dragons players walking out in sympathy for JBD.

That could have changed the game.

Not just for JDB but a message to the NRL High Command to behave!

The dragons are never too far away from enigmatic conduct.

A proud tradition!

I'm not a member of the forum security forces but seriously, Benji, JDB saga, Purdue and etc etc. This is supposed to be about the round 1 team.

 

[Dragon David]

Thanks. I’m getting away from some of the bullies over there tbh, withdrawing in places. Life is too short.

I think the NRL has got to the stage of inertia in terms of some of the clubs always being competitive and then there’s the rest.

The cap hasn’t really worked as intended.

I’d like to see a more level playing field, instead of being told how great everything is.

I’ve got ideas but there’s no appetite for change where money is being made.

The NRL executives are raking it in. I’m surprised they can fit into their Porsches.

Exactly. I think that all fans should have a team to follow knowing that what they have in their roster are as good as what the other team has (a level playing field as you say TSP) and that the better organised team with a better match plan wins on that day.

With that said, I'm concerned that our halves pairing of Atkinson/Flanagan or Atkinson/LKT lacks excitement and brilliance to win matches. Let's see how they go against the Knights next Saturday. When the comp starts in Vegas for us, our Round 1 team hopefully will be settled and that the halves will be well and truly sorted.

 

[TSP]

I'm not a member of the forum security forces but seriously, Benji, JDB saga, Purdue and etc etc. This is supposed to be about the round 1 team.

Ok, I’ll take a break.

 

[Dave03]

Ok, I’ll take a break.

Post in the appropriate threads. It's difficult to follow posts about team discussions when you guys are posting about other stuff.

I tend to skip over your posts because I assume they're irrelevant to this thread. I don't want to do it because maybe you've posted something relevant but I also don't want to read about benji etc in a round 1 team discussions thread.

If mods are okay with it then I guess it'll continue but assume it makes their job a bit difficult too.

 

[GCRV]

Ok, I’ll take a break.

I didn't say take a break. Just that I'd much prefer and I think many others as well, if you posted stuff in appropriate threads. If one doesn't exist, make one.

 

[Dragon David]

I agree that posts should relate to the thread, but boy oh boy, it is so easy to be side tracked. Many people have done this, like I am doing now. Hahaha!

I'm going to wait for all trial games to be completed to see who shined in those games and see who are injured or suspended etc before I post my round 1 team against the Dogs in Vegas.

 

[Dragon David]

Sorry for digressing away from this thread again but my point of people going off track from a thread is typified with the Recruitment and Retention thread where there have been lots talking about hamstrings!!

 

[Eric]

I'm not a member of the forum security forces but seriously, Benji, JDB saga, Purdue and etc etc. This is supposed to be about the round 1 team.

I do that too! Sorry, but

I agree that posts should relate to the thread, but boy oh boy, it is so easy to be side tracked. Many people have done this, like I am doing now. Hahaha!

This is true. I'm going to redouble my effort not to do that.

As for round 1, barring any new injuries I think it's only a question of who takes Liddle's place and which 2 out of Gular, Sele, LPT, Kerr are selected.

I'd go with KF for Liddle, LKT 6 and Sele and LPT.

 

[Dave03]

Thanks guys. Appreciate it.

 

[Dave03]

I do that too! Sorry, but

This is true. I'm going to redouble my effort not to do that.

As for round 1, barring any new injuries I think it's only a question of who takes Liddle's place and which 2 out of Gular, Sele, LPT, Kerr are selected.

I'd go with KF for Liddle, LKT 6 and Sele and LPT.

I think Kerr is locked into the 17. If LPT has trained strongly then I'd take him too. I don't rate gular at all. I was wrong about him.

I'd pick sele if the docs had confidence in his body being okay with the exstensive travel.

 

[Frank Facer]

Ok. I haven't seen anything to suggest he'll be really good, like Gaz or Inglis, but time will tell. I think he'll become more like Coops. A good centre for sure but I don't think as good as Gaz or Inglis. Not really even close. Might turn into a good fullack but again, less than Walsh, Ponga, or Tedesco, Tom Turbo in their prime.

I think Purdue could be Billy Slater like at fullback

 

[Frank Facer]

Ok. I haven't seen anything to suggest he'll be really good, like Gaz or Inglis, but time will tell. I think he'll become more like Coops. A good centre for sure but I don't think as good as Gaz or Inglis. Not really even close. Might turn into a good fullack but again, less than Walsh, Ponga, or Tedesco, Tom Turbo in their prime.

I knew very early that Tedesco, Turbo and Ponga were special players after seeing them in their debut season's. I had Turbo picked in my next year's State Of Origin team, they year he debuted for Manly on the wing, aged 18. I think it was the same year as Turbo debuted that Nathan Cleary debuted for Penrith at 17. I also said I would pick him for NSW then next year. I remember writing it and someone on a forum saying Turbo and Cleary were both too young and inexperienced to be playing origin the next year. I think they both debuted for NSW the next year
On another forum, after Ponga had played one or 2 games for Newcastle, Someone made a comment saying he was a superstar, then someone else replied to them they were being facetious and then I joined in and said, No he wasn't being facetious and that Ponga was a future superstar. I hadn't seen much of Walsh when he debuted for New Zealand Warrior during Covid, so I didn't get an early gauge on him, until he got to Brisbane.

As soon as I saw Mark Gasnier, I said he would be our best centre since O'Conner.

 

[Kim]

Exactly. I think that all fans should have a team to follow knowing that what they have in their roster are as good as what the other team has (a level playing field as you say TSP) and that the better organised team with a better match plan wins on that day.

With that said, I'm concerned that our halves pairing of Atkinson/Flanagan or Atkinson/LKT lacks excitement and brilliance to win matches. Let's see how they go against the Knights next Saturday. When the comp starts in Vegas for us, our Round 1 team hopefully will be settled and that the halves will be well and truly sorted.

My dream for Atkinson isn't that he becomes a Walsh-style superstar or an Immortal. I just want to see him guide the team towards the other end of the field, not be a speed hump in defense, make intelligent kicks, back up breaks, be able to count opposition numbers, and send the ball to the correct side of the field. And ice field goals. That's it. No superstar stuff required. Am I asking for too much?

 

[Eric]

I think Kerr is locked into the 17. If LPT has trained strongly then I'd take him too. I don't rate gular at all. I was wrong about him.

I'd pick sele if the docs had confidence in his body being okay with the exstensive travel.

I don't rate him or Kerr but I think Flanno rates both.