2026-27 Off Season

RufusRex

SGI NSW Cup
Assuming the rest of the team fell the way I want, my bench would be (even if Kerr were still here).
Interchange: 14. Liddle, 15. Ryan, 16. Halangahu
Reserve Interchange: 17. Webster, 18. Nick, 19. LKT

of course this would change if we recruited/lost players
we need a middle, an edge forward who can cover centre AND a spine player on the bench.

Sorry to quote myself, Robinson in the grand final gives you the blueprint for bench. The change in rules has actually turned the game into a 3 interchange player game now (which the roosters used in the grand final).

You essentially play with 3 interchange players and 3 reserves covering your backs/spine. Ramsey covered FB/W, Savala covered C/58/HB, Ioelu covered Hooker.

For a regular season game you may change that to an outside back/spine/running forward but i think the trend will move to having three regular interchange players and 3 non regular.

With the NSW cup draw, those non regular players will change each week to make sure they at least play cup every 2nd game.

So for us you may see Atkinson/LKT alternate in 17, Nick/Hutchinson alternate in 18, Tu/Burton alternate in 19 (depending on the other 16 players)
 

Dragons faithful

SGI Jersey Flegg
Sorry to quote myself, Robinson in the grand final gives you the blueprint for bench. The change in rules has actually turned the game into a 3 interchange player game now (which the roosters used in the grand final).

You essentially play with 3 interchange players and 3 reserves covering your backs/spine. Ramsey covered FB/W, Savala covered C/58/HB, Ioelu covered Hooker.

For a regular season game you may change that to an outside back/spine/running forward but i think the trend will move to having three regular interchange players and 3 non regular.

With the NSW cup draw, those non regular players will change each week to make sure they at least play cup every 2nd game.

So for us you may see Atkinson/LKT alternate in 17, Nick/Hutchinson alternate in 18, Tu/Burton alternate in 19 (depending on the other 16 players)
Yes the bench I think has to be thought out and have a strategic plan going forward. Agree 👍
 

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
Gutho/Flanno for sure would be the guys stuck in 18th/19th jerseys... both in their final year anyway and we didnt want them to stay... be a bit awkward with Gutho cause hes a leader in the group.. and a competitor who wont sit by quietly.. Kyle I mean I dunno is it possible he does play at some point in the 7 jersey this year.. maybe if we had a bad injury run... but I think we would prefer to just rip the bandaid off and take things on without him as a backup plan.

Atko is a bit different cause if he is staying for a few more years.. we want him developing.. even if its NSW Cup fullback..
 

Eric

Staff
LKT as a 6 is a no brainer (assuming still here), Reed as a 7 is a call, but hopefully if hes fit and has a good preseason... I agree.. what about if Reed is injured?
If Reed is injured, O'Neill to play halfback? If LKT is 5/8, is Hodges still young enough to play Flegg for another year?
 

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
If Reed is injured, O'Neill to play halfback? If LKT is 5/8, is Hodges still young enough to play Flegg for another year?
See I'd rather Kyle than O'Neill.. I rly am not a fan of his.. bit like Ilias actually... but if Kyle was gone then maybe.. Nikorima might also be able to handle 7 better than some of the young ones.. he can also find an injury also.. who knows how many games we get out of him and Metcalf.

And yeah Hodges I dont want to get my hopes up.. I know I say this too often.. but it all depends on the preseason.. if their bodies stay uninjured.. then they kill it and get strong and fit.. and u just never know whos gonna be the hot properties in 2027.. just hope a few of the young ones rly exceed expectations... Hodges is probably a 6 but did a pretty competent job @7.. LKT has played a little 7 in his time also, but I think its pretty clear thats not his spot.. hes just not that guy.. hes chill and likes to lay back and have the ball handed to him.
 

Dragon David

SGI NSW Cup
See I'd rather Kyle than O'Neill.. I rly am not a fan of his.. bit like Ilias actually... but if Kyle was gone then maybe.. Nikorima might also be able to handle 7 better than some of the young ones.. he can also find an injury also.. who knows how many games we get out of him and Metcalf.

And yeah Hodges I dont want to get my hopes up.. I know I say this too often.. but it all depends on the preseason.. if their bodies stay uninjured.. then they kill it and get strong and fit.. and u just never know whos gonna be the hot properties in 2027.. just hope a few of the young ones rly exceed expectations... Hodges is probably a 6 but did a pretty competent job @7.. LKT has played a little 7 in his time also, but I think its pretty clear thats not his spot.. hes just not that guy.. hes chill and likes to lay back and have the ball handed to him.
Yes, the main concern which basically affects all of the players in the NRL is being able to play injury free but it is unavoidable and most players get a twinge here and there. It is of course the long term ones to the important players that we hope will be avoided. When it happens though the best of the crop in the lower grades just have to step up and make the appointment to the first grade possie his own. Looking at who we have as back up in the halves looks decent enough. Just hope that they don't break down leaving us fewer to choose from.
 

Mailroomsgi

SGI NSW Cup
Halangahu IG post - lost 10kg’s in the last 4.5 months

Different game nowadays so the wight difference is almost none between middles and edge backrowers but interested to see how he develops and where he’s nailed down to be postionally long term
 

Dave03

SGI NSW Cup
Halangahu IG post - lost 10kg’s in the last 4.5 months

Different game nowadays so the wight difference is almost none between middles and edge backrowers but interested to see how he develops and where he’s nailed down to be postionally long term

He's doing plenty of speed/mobility training, he's on the right path.
 

TheRev

SGI NSW Cup
Halangahu IG post - lost 10kg’s in the last 4.5 months

Different game nowadays so the wight difference is almost none between middles and edge backrowers but interested to see how he develops and where he’s nailed down to be postionally long term
what the hell.. was thinking he would go the other way and stack the kilos on.. maybe they want him back in the 2nd row this season?
 
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