Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
Just as a side issue, when Hook debuted Sloan, his words were "we know you are ready and we wouldnt have selected you if you weren't" Was he ready ? Was he ever ready ?
Round 1 team so far in 2026
- Thread starter Morgan
- Start date
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
It is also part of that catch 22 ... Not ready to tackle the big boys so needs to play cup ... Cup doesnt have the big boys he needs to learn to tackle.
Doesnt have the stamina to play 80 against the big boys, goes back to cup where he has the stamina to play a game easily.
I dont envy those who make the yes/no decision on him.
Doesnt have the stamina to play 80 against the big boys, goes back to cup where he has the stamina to play a game easily.
I dont envy those who make the yes/no decision on him.
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
Totally accept that ... the only think i would say is that he wouldnt be dropped on form - it would only be whilst Liddle is injured.
It is either him or LKT who will have to play in vegas and depending on how Flano plays the team it could be from the bench for 10-20 with a shuffle if cook needs a break. It is a soft launch really with that clarity around only a couple of weeks so there is no form pressure on him.
jodragon40
Staff
What about mighty mouse, tiny Mark Schulman? He was understudy to Billy Smith and played 7 for us in the 70s. He was 5 foot tall but had a big heart. He won the GF against Parramatta in 77. That is the smallest player I ever saw play 1sts
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jodragon40
Staff
Its tough
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
This is just living the past nostalgia and is not relevant to NRL in 2026.
Mug Fan
SGI NSW Cup
I can't see Reed being 14 and then having to shuffle the spine for 15 min throwing Reed into 6 as a rookie, it's just a mess.
Flanno mention that Lyhkan could play some 13 so I think that's the best indication who could end up the utility bench.
Flanno mention that Lyhkan could play some 13 so I think that's the best indication who could end up the utility bench.
jodragon40
Staff
Im
User Im an old nostalgic type of guy but you may have misunderstood the meaning of my last post. I was comparing players size in relation to another comment and post.
I only mentioned Schulman because of his size not inferring he should be used as an example to fast track Reed.
I have consistently said in other posts and forums that in my view Reed needs a full season in ressies .
He is very promising and fingers crossed, barring injuries our future 7 for many years to come once he debuts.
User Im an old nostalgic type of guy but you may have misunderstood the meaning of my last post. I was comparing players size in relation to another comment and post.I only mentioned Schulman because of his size not inferring he should be used as an example to fast track Reed.
I have consistently said in other posts and forums that in my view Reed needs a full season in ressies .
He is very promising and fingers crossed, barring injuries our future 7 for many years to come once he debuts.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
Many including Galvin didn't play any reserve grade games. Some were still at school when they debuted.
jodragon40
Staff
My views Reed won't be rushed. Im looking at the earliest late this year when we are out of semi finals contention but more likely 27. Time will tell
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
If Kyle or Acko was to get injured or suspended, I am pretty sure Reed would then be selected to play halfback. Why is it that so many of you think he wouldn't survive? The good ones don't only survive, they thrive. I think Reed has the ticker to play first grade right now. As I said, there are countless 17 and 18 year olds who were thrown in the deep end and not just survived, but thrived. The good ones can do it. They are natural footballers and Reed is in that category. It isn't as though he has a representative half standing in his way. It now just a matter of when he plays first grade and becomes our regular halfback. Sam Walker was another small, lightly framed halfback who debuted at 18 and was exceptional in his debut year. Here is a copy and paste of Sam Walker's first game in first grade
Sam Walker made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters in 2021, specifically in Round 4 of the season. He played against the New Zealand Warriors on April 4, 2021, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His debut was impressive, with a try assist, a conversion, and strong defensive efforts in a 32–12 victory
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
Has LKT been omitted completely? His defence was much better. His attack was overshadowed by Reed but so was everyone elses. Should be Atkinson 7, LKT 6 and KF 14.
jodragon40
Staff
You can't use example's of other players because in my playing and coaching career its important to understand each player is an individual with their own set of skillsets and maturity. Also who they debuted against comes into calculations.
But more importantly we have our 6 and 7 . My understanding is then if one is injured I would suggest that LKT with his previous 1st grade experience would be next cab off the rank.
Then young Reed as a last resort. The coaching staff and high performance team are well equipped and versed in how to develop our young talent and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Leave it to the experts I say.
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
anyway .... i dont doubt that Reed will not go to vegas ... for all the reasons mentioned here.
jodragon40
Staff
Agree
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
22 seats on the plane he said? 13+6 is the gameday team.. so only 3 spare slots.. they need to make sure they have every position covered in case someone is ill/injured etc. Reed may be there.. as for LKT @9, its definitely possible.. I do hope hes been training there though, we dont really need him to cover 13, or I dont think so anyway.. thought the couchies would cover that, kerr even?
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
The idea of King Togia playing lock makes me laugh. Locks defend in the middle. King Togia isn't up to defending in the middle and he wouldn't be good for hit ups either. His best assets are his backing up and his passing game. That isn't suited to playing lock. I recently read a Youtube comment, that said King Togia was a fullback, until being moved to 5/8 very late in his juniors. I think King Togia will mainly be a NSW Cup player.
Last year, due to injuries he was "thrown into the deep end" and couldn't swim. I doubt another year in NSW Cup will help him develop into a regular first grader either. I don't want to knock him, I just do see him being that good.
I don't advocated for Reed being on the bench either. I advocate for him starting the game and Kyle on the bench. I had Kyle in my first grade team, up until last week, because I thought he was our best option, now I think Reed is. I also think Kyle could be our best option as bench hooker now, that Liddle is injured.
Last year Halangahu was thrown into the deep end and could swim. Many forum posters were saying he wasn't ready, but due to injuries he was thrown into the deep end and survived and even looked quite at home playing first grade. He also looked to handle playing in last weeks trial. It is now just a matter of if the likes of Leilua, R Couchman, or a fit Egan are currently better than him in deciding if he should be playing first grade. Him playing last year didn't hurt his confidence or "screw" him. He would have benefited from those games last year and grew in confidence that he is up to playing. first grade. Here is a copy and paste of Halangahu's age when he debuted last year
Jacob Halangahu made his first-grade debut for the St. George Illawarra Dragons at the age of 18.
He debuted in Round 23, 2025, playing against Cronulla at Jubilee Stadium. Born on 26 August 2006, Halangahu turned 18 just over a month before his debut, which occurred on 9 August 2025.
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
Slone probably played his best games in his debut year
Utilty could be LKT's entire future. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. It has certainly given Kurt Mann a respectable career when the future may have looked dark for him at one stage.
1. Kurt Mann has played plenty of lock for the dogs. He is reported at 184 cm and 88 kg. I think it is a matter of the style of lock play.
2. I agree that LKT's strengths are passing and backing up. And he has some neat short kicking. Suitable to develop as a #9?