jodragon40
Staff
I agree
Round 1 team so far in 2026
- Thread starter Morgan
- Start date
jodragon40
Staff
I've seen O' Neil play NSW Cup in the last two seasons and I can certainly understand why we signed him. He has a good kicking game, short and long. He organises well. He can pass both sides of the body very effectively and efficiently. Good in defence and has a bit of pace off the mark.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
I would think LKT would be next in line George, then again it might be a surprise 14, who knows, I think we are thin in the hooker position.
jodragon40
Staff
LKT is 3rd in the pecking order with O'Neil 4th. Be interesting to see what happens if we have an injury crisis.
Ryan
SGI NSW Cup
You think Kyle will start at 5/8 then move to hooker to give Cook a break?
TSP
SGI Jersey Flegg
It’s always hard to assess the duration of an injury.
Flanno has to get the medical advice, there will be gradual impact training.
When my workmate played junior footy they played roster players with strict instructions not to injure anyone. It’s tricky.
How the replacements are going as well as the combinations. If the formula is working, do you bring him back? There’s a lot to consider. In theory, we are drawn to the bad side, but sometimes things work out. Excuse the example, but I recall the mass hysteria of the league media of Lomax on the wing.
The work rate is also very high for that position and on arrival I suspect every man and his dog will run hell for leather at him because he’s dangerous. That will be picked up pretty quickly.
I’m not an expert, but I’d still bring him back cautiously because he’s in the build up squad.
Getting back to an old bug bear of mine, I sat down and worked it out one day that the average number of players injured or suspended at finals time per team is about 5. It was sobering, a bit sad tbh.
Then it’s kind of hit or miss who gets taken out.
But If anyone’s interested, I might do the maths and update the figures for 25. As a bonus, I might try to work out which positions are more susceptible.
Frank Facer could mention his variables, and yeah, I’d easily succumb to that, because it’s true, but it might be an interesting academic exercise and we could tell how SGI is going per the average.
Flanno has to get the medical advice, there will be gradual impact training.
When my workmate played junior footy they played roster players with strict instructions not to injure anyone. It’s tricky.
How the replacements are going as well as the combinations. If the formula is working, do you bring him back? There’s a lot to consider. In theory, we are drawn to the bad side, but sometimes things work out. Excuse the example, but I recall the mass hysteria of the league media of Lomax on the wing.
The work rate is also very high for that position and on arrival I suspect every man and his dog will run hell for leather at him because he’s dangerous. That will be picked up pretty quickly.
I’m not an expert, but I’d still bring him back cautiously because he’s in the build up squad.
Getting back to an old bug bear of mine, I sat down and worked it out one day that the average number of players injured or suspended at finals time per team is about 5. It was sobering, a bit sad tbh.
Then it’s kind of hit or miss who gets taken out.
But If anyone’s interested, I might do the maths and update the figures for 25. As a bonus, I might try to work out which positions are more susceptible.
Frank Facer could mention his variables, and yeah, I’d easily succumb to that, because it’s true, but it might be an interesting academic exercise and we could tell how SGI is going per the average.
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TSP
SGI Jersey Flegg
As for Lucy, I think his (at times) overheated involvement is very deliberate. I don’t think he can keep it going or he would be asked to.
It’s pretty good when he’s motoring on, his physique is amazing. He’s a weapon.
When he injects himself and it comes off, he’s playing some of the best footy of the round. He’s a real handful.
I don’t think he’s as fit as Payne or Terrell May. Both beating all the odds known to footy kind in our current era. Payne is a freak, Madge uses him to perfection.
Id be hypnotising Lucy before matches and convincing him he can’t get tired until Flanno plays a video of Browny slapping Baz after the match!
I shook my head at the time, crazy stuff.
It’s pretty good when he’s motoring on, his physique is amazing. He’s a weapon.
When he injects himself and it comes off, he’s playing some of the best footy of the round. He’s a real handful.
I don’t think he’s as fit as Payne or Terrell May. Both beating all the odds known to footy kind in our current era. Payne is a freak, Madge uses him to perfection.
Id be hypnotising Lucy before matches and convincing him he can’t get tired until Flanno plays a video of Browny slapping Baz after the match!
I shook my head at the time, crazy stuff.
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Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
Well, no one has suggested Bula will be playing for Qld at fullback. He would have Walsh, Ponga and Tabui Fidow all ahead of him
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think Fletcher Sharpe is a future NSW fullback, if he can get regular game time in that position. He is under contract until 2028 at Newcastle, but has Ponga ahead of him at fullback and Brown ahead of him at 5/8. Those 2 players are 2 of the highest paid players in the comp. Sharpe would be on my shopping list to play fullback if possible. Him at fullback and Purdue in the halves would make us a genuine premiership contender
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
The question is Oliver Burton aka Phar Lap going to be better than Bula?
Frank Facer
SGI Jersey Flegg
Liddle is our number 1 hooker. When he is fit, he must be in the 17. Liddle would not be out of place in the NSW 17 if they were to go with 2 hookers.It’s always hard to assess the duration of an injury.
Flanno has to get the medical advice, there will be gradual impact training.
When my workmate played junior footy they played roster players with strict instructions not to injure anyone. It’s tricky.
How the replacements are going as well as the combinations. If the formula is working, do you bring him back? There’s a lot to consider. In theory, we are drawn to the bad side, but sometimes things work out. Excuse the example, but I recall the mass hysteria of the league media of Lomax on the wing.
The work rate is also very high for that position and on arrival I suspect every man and his dog will run hell for leather at him because he’s dangerous. That will be picked up pretty quickly.
I’m not an expert, but I’d still bring him back cautiously because he’s in the build up squad.
Getting back to an old bug bear of mine, I sat down and worked it out one day that the average number of players injured or suspended at finals time per team is about 5. It was sobering, a bit sad tbh.
Then it’s kind of hit or miss who gets taken out.
But If anyone’s interested, I might do the maths and update the figures for 25. As a bonus, I might try to work out which positions are more susceptible.
Dragons Chris
SGI NSW Cup
I take it you aren't in favour of signing Bula? How many times have you seen him play?
He's not as good as Walsh or Ponga but if we got him for 900k, he'd be on significantly less money than those 2.
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
When he's fit, if possible I'd like Flanno to have him on for longer. Not sure what the average was last year but I think less than 40 minutes. It would be good if he can maintain the same output for 50 minutes or even a bit more.
TSP
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think the knights panicked and paid way overs for Ponga. It’s come back to haunt them.
He’s one of the players, amazing player, but the stars have to align.
He’s inconsistent, he’s injury prone, his defence is suspect and personality wise, he’s simply not the Boy Newcastle.
He’s in a moon boot at the moment. That should be in the team photo.
He’s probably the worst signing of all time.
Taking up 3 plus players on their cap.
Fletcher Sharpe, not perfect but my kind of player…
Hopefully Ponga will Lomax the knights.
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Eric
Staff
It seems, some players, just the way they play, run, use footwork, makes them prone to injury. Ponga seems to be one. When he's fit I think he's the best player in the competition.
If Ponga is on at least 1.2 mil a year, I think Bula is good value for 900K if we can get that done.
RufusRex
SGI Jersey Flegg
is the bula rumour still floating around - thought that one was done and dusted with the assumption of doggies.
Eric
Staff
He hasn't signed anywhere yet unless it simply hasn't been announced yet so I guess we are still in the race.
TSP
SGI Jersey Flegg
Yep.
His manager is obviously pushing for his cut.
Whether or not clubs have to make plans for the good of their fans, members, sponsors and other stakeholders is of no consequence.
