Charity Shield 2026 Thread

[RedVHeartbeat]

without val nobody is there is noone to genuinely threaten the line.. its why I know I repeat it too much we should be fast-tracking Heidke, kid doesnt even have a dev contract..

Ditto Te Moananui likes attacking the line as well. Both should be fast tracked.

 

[Dragon David]

I know its our first game and I know its per say a trial BUT.

So to my eye my fears are being confirmed. Our 7 hasn't played 7 in 2 seasons and it shows, and it is to be expected. Our 6 who played 7 the last 2 seasons isnt playing 6 very well.

I was hoping to see different attacking structures especially straightening the structure in midfield. It is vital that at least 1 of your halves run the ball and one manages the game. So far Flanagan 3 runs for 30m and Atkinson 6 runs for 42m. That is simply not good enough.

It means that defensively there are no surprises because the expectation is that our halves with ball in hand are just linking in attack and not straightening the attack or running through the line. So you just slide in defence.

Anyone who honestly believe's Cook can play 80 min and be effective, well he can't.

So we appear to still have issues in our spine.

Just my views, another long season coming up.

The halves of Flanagan and Atkinson lacked spark and their execution in their passing not that efficient. They lack acceleration which to me is needed in the halves. In fact I don't think that we have any real player who can take off and sprint fast. It is needed to gain the upper hand in attack.

I am not happy with our attack - defense is also still a problem, but attack is not great. We need speed. Dufty showed what he can do with his electrifying speed. Sloan is a snail compared to him when it comes to darts up field.

Plenty of work to be done Mr. Flanagan even though this game was only a trial. I cannot imagine what Souths would have done to us if they played their strongest team. Holy Mackerel.

 

[Justadragon]

it sucks for a lot of reasons.. but now we have 15 days of being laughed at.. and our entire vegas prep is thrown into chaos.. confidence shattered.. just wow... puts flanno instantly under the blowtorch too.. and its far*ing february. I mean it could be a reality check we needed.. but Im not feeling that way right now.

The 17th best roster looked like the 17th best roster tonight.. without val nobody is there is noone to genuinely threaten the line.. its why I know I repeat it too much we should be fast-tracking Heidke, kid doesnt even have a dev contract... we need actual line threats otherwise were back to a grind-them-down mindset, but that only works if we have no errors.. and we certainly found some errors tonight.

That said its probably 3 lazy moments from Sloan that once again put us behind on the scoreboard, its exhausting the way that kid can lose us a game.. we cant defend that stuff.. were not that good.

Atkinson was ok, kicking was decent.. but I was hoping for more, im not sure if its him or the team in general... but I didnt feel like we were going to break the line at all on his side.. I rly dont have a read on Fale yet.. I barely notice he is there.. Tu im ok with persisting with.. its too early to know if he will make it, and he hasnt really been given any ball in space either tbf.

Anyone who thinks Flanno is a safe bet for this season just because he extended, needs to think again. We just showed that we are a genuine wooden spoon side.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Jeez you guys are painting a bleak picture. Not sure I wanna watch it now.

 

[George Sancti]

That was disappointing.

It looked to me like the plan in the first half was for Gutho to defend at fullback and play in the front line as a pseudo‑halfback in attack. If that’s the strategy, I’d actually prefer Gutho to just play halfback, Atkinson at 5/8, and Val at fullback.

 

[Justadragon]

Jeez you guys are painting a bleak picture. Not sure I wanna watch it now.

Trust me mate you really dont, unless you want to get really pissed off.

 

[redv4life]

Jeez you guys are painting a bleak picture. Not sure I wanna watch it now.

Wouldn’t watch mate

Don’t even wanna hear flanno’s excuses that was awful

 

[st george tragic]

I have gone from excited about the new season to extremely concerned. I laughed when they said wooden spoon. After that game it's a possibility

 

[TheRev]

Anyone who thinks Flanno is a safe bet for this season just because he extended, needs to think again. We just showed that we are a genuine wooden spoon side.

I didn't want to go down that path just yet.. but I mentioned this in response to mailrooms post ages ago where he was being laughed at for the suggestion.. that it would have to be a 'diabolical' season for Flanno to not get a shot @ coaching in 2027 with the improved roster thats coming...

But I couldnt have forseen this result.. now hes going to cop real heat for 15 more days, and the season hasnt even begun... gonna really suck the joy out of vegas id reckon... but lets see how we feel in a few more days.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

pseudo‑halfback in attack. If that’s the strategy, I’d actually prefer Gutho to just play halfback

Gutho one line break and no line break assists or try assists. Atkinson one line break, one try assist. Flanagan zilch. Think I'll stick with Atkinson for a while George.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

just an awful night for all involved in that game. The awkward situation is Flanno has had 3 years in the job and can anyone confidently say he’s THE guy to take us to the top 8?

That’s the thing with these ‘experienced coaches’ from the mid 2010’s. I’m not sure if a lot of them can cope with the modern game and rule changes

Hope I’m proven wrong of course but what was put out on the park tonight is nothing short of embarrassing. Going to be very awkward with the fixtures we have early on if we start 0-3 and are heading to play the titans in round 4 winless

 

[Dragon David]

Well if its any consolation, as you know we won both trial games last year including a decent win against the Bunnies when Holmes played a blinder and gifted Sione Finau passes to score some beaut tries. That Charity Shield game last year painted a rosy picture for me as to how we would go in the competition proper and as we all know that picture turned to misery as we ended the comp poorly. I'm hoping for a complete reversal and we finish greatly this year and make the top 8.

 

[dragonheart]

We can talk about gifted tries to them and bombed try by us but in the end we were woeful, really woeful trial or not. Not convinced once again on halves or the new fale and Su. Let's hope things change dramatically.

 

[No Surrender]

First 20 minutes we played with urgency and energy.

Leilua was very good.

Stewart and the Coachman’s same.

Cook, Gutho, Atkinson were sharp.

Both Atkinson & Flanagan had one wild pass each.

TU was good until gifting Souths a try in the second half.

LKT Gifted Souths with a second half try with another woeful pass.

After 2 trials, I would take Reed to Vegas in front of LKT. Unsure what is wrong with LKT at the moment. Seems reserved and lacking interest.

Buchanan had one very good run.

Don’t rate Tuipolotou. Better off playing Fegai.

Overall forwards played well.

Backs lack speed and enterprise.

Don’t usually bash Kyle, however tonight he was ordinary.

We need to fast track Reed otherwise it’s going to be a long season.

 

[TheRev]

I think if you hand Flanno the Sharks roster or the Storm or the Cows or the Titans roster, anything like that with juicy big packs and plenty of strike in the backs.. I think he would be a rly good coach.. he would harden them and hes good at getting players up..

But were in a weird position where we are desperately trying to get this squad that has so many gaps to something respectable.. and the bash/barge style isnt rly working anymore.. im sure Ennis and co are telling him that.. but hes gotta believe it.. but at the same time the roster is pretty much poo so on one hand I cant blame him.. but on the other.. you have to commend Ryles who seemed to rly understand exactly what he needed to recruit.. and maybe Flanno cant get the players he wanted to recruit tbf.. but it does seem like its very hard to win with big oversized lads who do hurt ppl when they run.. but it doesnt seem to turn into points.

The key to the great coaches though.. is they do evolve.. and im not sure Bennett has evolved in terms of strategy.. but somehow he seems to find himself with good talent and it seems to work.. maybe its the talent not the coach.. i have no idea.. chicken or the egg maybe.

 

[Justadragon]

just an awful night for all involved in that game. The awkward situation is Flanno has had 3 years in the job and can anyone confidently say he’s THE guy to take us to the top 8?

That’s the thing with these ‘experienced coaches’ from the mid 2010’s. I’m not sure if a lot of them can cope with the modern game and rule changes

Hope I’m proven wrong of course but what was put out on the park tonight is nothing short of embarrassing. Going to be very awkward with the fixtures we have early on if we start 0-3 and are heading to play the titans in round 4 winless

100% mate, I've said all along if we are 0-4 or 5, Flanno will be a dead man walking. I really hope that doesn't happen but the way I feel now it looks more likely than not.

 

[redv13]

Nick T unused tonight, rode the pine for 80 mins. Like wtf Flanno!!! Only player to get zero game time. Hoping mug has some sort of info why??

 

[TheRev]

Nick T unused tonight, rode the pine for 80 mins. Like wtf Flanno!!! Only player to get zero game time

The game obviously did not go well so he left blokes out there a lot longer than planned.. and tbh in terms of Atkinson/Kyle, I think that was smart because Atkinson at the least is very important that he gets his groove on.

But Nick did play cup as did all the fringe players, im still at an absolute loss what Flanno was thinking.. then again a fresher halangahu or a nick or reed or buchanan or LPT.. maybe it makes no difference.. then again.. i spose it is a trial..

 

[Justadragon]

Nick T unused tonight, rode the pine for 80 mins. Like wtf Flanno!!! Only player to get zero game time. Hoping mug has some sort of info why??

And we really could have used him, bad mistake.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I think if you hand Flanno the Sharks roster or the Storm or the Cows or the Titans roster, anything like that with juicy big packs and plenty of strike in the backs.. I think he would be a rly good coach.. he would harden them and hes good at getting players up..

But were in a weird position where we are desperately trying to get this squad that has so many gaps to something respectable.. and the bash/barge style isnt rly working anymore.. im sure Ennis and co are telling him that.. but hes gotta believe it.. but at the same time the roster is pretty much poo so on one hand I cant blame him.. but on the other.. you have to commend Ryles who seemed to rly understand exactly what he needed to recruit.. and maybe Flanno cant get the players he wanted to recruit tbf.. but it does seem like its very hard to win with big oversized lads who do hurt ppl when they run.. but it doesnt seem to turn into points.

The key to the great coaches though.. is they do evolve.. and im not sure Bennett has evolved in terms of strategy.. but somehow he seems to find himself with good talent and it seems to work.. maybe its the talent not the coach.. i have no idea.. chicken or the egg maybe.

You’re spot on with all your points really. Bennets great strength is his man management and ability to hire the right coaching staff around him to succeed

I think what irks me is parramatta last season for the first 3-4 games were ATROCIOUS. But they developed and with excellent coaching became better and you look at how they finished the last 7-8 weeks of the season. They look like they’re on an upward trajectory and that’s with an ok squad. Recruited great young talent + they won plenty of games without their star 7

I think the fact other clubs have had success with modern coaches and are ascending is putting a huge amount of pressure on Flanno and making fans like me question if he’s really the guy.

I just don’t want us to be the last team to sack a dud coach and let Manly/Cowboys/Tigers get the next 3 best head coaches and we’re left with Adam O Brien or Dean Young