Round 1 team so far in 2026

[Ryan]

With Leilua playing for a new contract and lose of weight and apparently "ripped" body shape, we may see him perform better than he ever has. He could be instrumental in us having a good year. I still think he should be in the prop rotation.

I have doubts about his ability even if he's fitter. He's big and mobile for size but something preventing him from busting tackles let alone making line breaks. Not a good defender for a second rower either.

 

[Ryan]

Another form post.

Benji wasn’t appointed on any basis of merit, he was promoted early as the club panicked when Sheens f&&ked it.

As for the close knit players and coach, it’s true and it’s helped their recruitment…but at the end of the day, he still can’t coach.

And the problem with too close a relationship with players and coaches is that it makes it harder to dispense with either when issues arise.

So you have a club that is effectively controlled by the players and coach.

Very little control by the board and senior management.

It’s a unique kind of socialist model to present to the NRL.

Time will tell, but so far it hasn’t produced that much, underwhelming for that squad last year.

Flanno is not promising the world. He’s sober and composed in his assessment.

He rules the roost by order, he doesn’t need the romantics. Maybe that’s why his coaching record is climbing close to twice as good as Benjis.

Aren't you writing Benji off a bit early?

 

[redv4life]

Another form post.

Benji wasn’t appointed on any basis of merit, he was promoted early as the club panicked when Sheens f&&ked it.

As for the close knit players and coach, it’s true and it’s helped their recruitment…but at the end of the day, he still can’t coach.

And the problem with too close a relationship with players and coaches is that it makes it harder to dispense with either when issues arise.

So you have a club that is effectively controlled by the players and coach.

Very little control by the board and senior management.

It’s a unique kind of socialist model to present to the NRL.

Time will tell, but so far it hasn’t produced that much, underwhelming for that squad last year.

Flanno is not promising the world. He’s sober and composed in his assessment.

He rules the roost by order, he doesn’t need the romantics. Maybe that’s why his coaching record is climbing close to twice as good as Benjis.

Flanno is literally coaching his son. Lol
Benji’s built a decent roster and they are improving. Galvin drama definitely hindered their season. Personally don’t see what Flanno has done that’s revolutionary in his stint here to be so critical of Benji’s coaching. Both had to start from pretty low bases.

 

[redv4life]

I have doubts about his ability even if he's fitter. He's big and mobile for size but something preventing him from busting tackles let alone making line breaks. Not a good defender for a second rower either.

His defence definitely lets him down.

 

[TSP]

Aren't you writing Benji off a bit early?

Not with his track record. It’s embarrassing and atrocious.

 

[TSP]

Flanno is literally coaching his son. Lol
Benji’s built a decent roster and they are improving. Galvin drama definitely hindered their season. Personally don’t see what Flanno has done that’s revolutionary in his stint here to be so critical of Benji’s coaching. Both had to start from pretty low bases.

The Tigers players botched the Galvo incident.

They bullied him and screwed the clubs chances of punishing him and IM.

They were well-meaning but didn’t think of the consequences.

Immature I guess.

 

[Ryan]

The Tigers players botched the Galvo incident.

They bullied him and screwed the clubs chances of punishing him and IM.

They were well-meaning but didn’t think of the consequences.

Immature I guess.

They deny bullying him after he basically wrote off the team and coach.

Consistency was a problem but they had a very young team and they played really well in a few games.

 

[redv4life]

The Tigers players botched the Galvo incident.

They bullied him and screwed the clubs chances of punishing him and IM.

They were well-meaning but didn’t think of the consequences.

Immature I guess.

Yeah it was a weird saga of events.

 

[Frank Facer]

Another form post.

Benji wasn’t appointed on any basis of merit, he was promoted early as the club panicked when Sheens f&&ked it.

As for the close knit players and coach, it’s true and it’s helped their recruitment…but at the end of the day, he still can’t coach.

And the problem with too close a relationship with players and coaches is that it makes it harder to dispense with either when issues arise.

So you have a club that is effectively controlled by the players and coach.

Very little control by the board and senior management.

It’s a unique kind of socialist model to present to the NRL.

Time will tell, but so far it hasn’t produced that much, underwhelming for that squad last year.

Flanno is not promising the world. He’s sober and composed in his assessment.

He rules the roost by order, he doesn’t need the romantics. Maybe that’s why his coaching record is climbing close to twice as good as Benjis.

Giving the players too much control and the difficulty with that is that they don’t see the whole.

Then he’s got the players who aren’t powerful in the player group. That can build resentment when they aren’t picked when a Benjiphile is performing poorly.

So it’s a bit unbalanced.

Another very good post by you. I agree with all of it.

 

[TSP]

They deny bullying him after he basically wrote off the team and coach.

Consistency was a problem but they had a very young team and they played really well in a few games.

The trainers made him address the team to tell them of his plans to leave.

Then the tigers players turned their backs on him. A very serious statement of contempt.

Social media posts and things.

The club denied bullying him, yes, they had no choice, but they folded when they got the legal letter.

So he was let go mid season for $150k as a gesture.

Thats my understanding.

I guess I prefer a traditional model of governance.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I dunno why he is the forgotten man in the 2nd row discussions, maybe because Flanno seemed fully invested in turning him into a centre last year (which I think was more about our clubs lack of centre depth + injuries + too many 2nd row options), but I think hes as likely as any of our other blokes to play rep level footy...

However if he keeps getting chopped between positions it wont help his development.. but he probably is a great candidate for 1st grade bench covering ctr, 2nd row and I think middle... but im not sure whats going on with this 6 man bench thing.. maybe we dont need that coverage anymore.

Good points, what I will say is Nick T is almost an exact replica of Dylan Lucas (who is a gun, was in our system as well)

Strong fast and rough + very hard to tackle + Covers back row and centre

If he doesn’t get 7-8 games this season he’s been stiffed IMO. Especially towards the end of the season if we have decided not to extend Leilua. Give Nick those minutes unless he’s already earned the starting spot of course

 

[TSP]

Another very good post by you. I agree with all of it.

Thanks Frank. I like your take on things too. A good read.

Your reasoning makes sense.

It was interesting to see Vlandys back track on his Lomax support.

It was a grave error of judgment for him to enter the field of battle.

The head of the NRL taking sides. Deary me.

I thought there was hope for me after all following his ridiculous intervention!

 

[Justadragon]

Yeah it was a weird saga of events.

Galvin's manager certainly didn't help the situation by virtually calling Marshall a dud.

 

[Justadragon]

The trainers made him address the team to tell them of his plans to leave.

Then the tigers players turned their backs on him. A very serious statement of contempt.

Social media posts and things.

The club denied bullying him, yes, they had no choice, but they folded when they got the legal letter.

So he was let go mid season for $150k as a gesture.

Thats my understanding.

I guess I prefer a traditional model of governance.

I dont agree with everything you say TSP but I like the fact you still write it. You and I both know that there is no traditional way of governance in the NRL eg : The Lomax saga that is currently happening, should this case even be going to court ? The De-Belin debacle, I dont condone what he did, but certainly the way some of the processes that got carried out were diabolical, have we seen anything similar to that extent since ( Amone)? Governance suits the vibe of which club it should be applied to , especially in the NRL.

 

[Dragons Chris]

I think Purdue is the most exciting young talent in the game right now.

Cam Munster is 31 years old right now. He probably only has another 2 or 3 years at the most playing for Qld. I predict in 3 or 4 years time, Qld's halves will be Sam Walker and Jaxon Purdue and they will be a top pair of halves at that.

You and myself also forgot Tabaui Fidow as another centre option for Qld. Him and Toia are probably the front runners for Qld's centres this year. I would still pick Purdue and Holmes ahead of them, if I was selecting the team, with Tabaui Fidow and Coates on the wings. Ponga is another one I would strongly consider to play centre ahead of Howarth, Toia, and Shibasaki

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.

 

[RedV01]

I dont agree with everything you say TSP but I like the fact you still write it.

 

[TSP]

I dont agree with everything you say TSP but I like the fact you still write it. You and I both know that there is no traditional way of governance in the NRL eg : The Lomax saga that is currently happening, should this case even be going to court ? The De-Belin debacle, I dont condone what he did, but certainly the way some of the processes that got carried out were diabolical, have we seen anything similar to that extent since ( Amone)? Governance suits the vibe of which club it should be applied to , especially in the NRL.

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!

 

[TSP]

Galvin's manager certainly didn't help the situation by virtually calling Marshall a dud.

Yeah, I agree with him, Benji is a dud, but I don’t think it was nice or appropriate for him to say so!

Stupid as well to isolate the Benji army in the tigers players. They’ll be slagging him off all over town.

Everyone knows, players all hang out with each other from different teams and they are the worst gossips lol.

They all pretend to be cool as cats, but they are worse than Sybil from faulty towers. They love the banter and pearl grabbing!

The agent is a low gutted dog. it’s terrible that Flanno has the relationship with him.

And I’m very pro-Flanno. That might change, but that’s my view at the moment.

Having Moses as a manager is an error of judgment and reflects poorly on Shane. It’s a shame.

 

[Eric]

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!

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!

 

[Eric]

Yeah, I agree with him, Benji is a dud, but I don’t think it was nice or appropriate for him to say so!

Stupid as well to isolate the Benji army in the tigers players. They’ll be slagging him off all over town.

Everyone knows, players all hang out with each other from different teams and they are the worst gossips lol.

They all pretend to be cool as cats, but they are worse than Sybil from faulty towers. They love the banter and pearl grabbing!

The agent is a low gutted dog. it’s terrible that Flanno has the relationship with him.

And I’m very pro-Flanno. That might change, but that’s my view at the moment.

Having Moses as a manager is an error of judgment and reflects poorly on Shane. It’s a shame.

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.