Round 1 team so far in 2026

[jodragon40]

After watching Reed on Saturday night, I’d love to see him wearing the 7 in first grade, he already looks like he’d be one of our best. But every opposition coach will send their biggest forwards at him, and I worry that the benefits of having him there now might not outweigh the risks to his longevity. Let him spend some time in NSW Cup, get used to the physicality of playing against men, and once he’s handling that comfortably, then bring him into first grade.

My comments and thoughts also

 

[jodragon40]

I wouldn't be playing Reed out of position. I would be playing him halfback with Acko 5/8 and Kyle on the bench to play hooker and be cover if there was an injury to a half. I also don't like the term "throwing him to the wolves" lol It is over dramatic. I have pointed out many a time 17 year old and 18 year olds playing first grade. Look how small Kini is and he excelled at fullback aged 18. If he was in our system, there would have been many posters saying the same thing about him, when he was 18. Reed showed on Saturday night he is ready for first grade. I think he is our best number 7 and would give him first crack at it. If he performs well for the first few games while Liddle is out, then Kyle would be dropping back to NSW Cup and Reed and Acko would be our halves pairing for the rest of the season. A year in first grade this year, would mean he would be more seasoned by next year.

I would be playing Kyle out of position.

How about throwing him into the deep end? I must have misread your story

 

[TheRev]

Someone on other forum hinted that we were chasing a 9/14, not sure if its a 12mth thing given that Connor is back on deck next year.. could be a veteran could be a young one.. dunno.

I dont rly mind who it is.. just need some depth to survive the year.. I dont like how thin we are in a bunch of positions, but fullback and hooker are 2 of the ones that really scare me the most... we got rly lucky last year.. well ok not with forwards.. but iirc.. Gutho, Cook and Liddle played every game, or close too it... but we atleast had a fit Connor in reserves at the time.

 

[Eric]

Someone on other forum hinted that we were chasing a 9/14, not sure if its a 12mth thing given that Connor is back on deck next year.. could be a veteran could be a young one.. dunno.

I dont rly mind who it is.. just need some depth to survive the year.. I dont like how thin we are in a bunch of positions, but fullback and hooker are 2 of the ones that really scare me the most... we got rly lucky last year.. well ok not with forwards.. but iirc.. Gutho, Cook and Liddle played every game, or close too it... but we atleast had a fit Connor in reserves at the time.

ACL is a 9~10 month injury. Connor should be back around Origin time.

 

[jodragon40]

Someone on other forum hinted that we were chasing a 9/14, not sure if its a 12mth thing given that Connor is back on deck next year.. could be a veteran could be a young one.. dunno.

I dont rly mind who it is.. just need some depth to survive the year.. I dont like how thin we are in a bunch of positions, but fullback and hooker are 2 of the ones that really scare me the most... we got rly lucky last year.. well ok not with forwards.. but iirc.. Gutho, Cook and Liddle played every game, or close too it... but we atleast had a fit Connor in reserves at the time.

Well there is one person that would really know that I'm aware of on here

 

[Dragon David]

Someone on other forum hinted that we were chasing a 9/14, not sure if its a 12mth thing given that Connor is back on deck next year.. could be a veteran could be a young one.. dunno.

I dont rly mind who it is.. just need some depth to survive the year.. I dont like how thin we are in a bunch of positions, but fullback and hooker are 2 of the ones that really scare me the most... we got rly lucky last year.. well ok not with forwards.. but iirc.. Gutho, Cook and Liddle played every game, or close too it... but we atleast had a fit Connor in reserves at the time.

Yes, can see your concern TheRev. I am sure that the powers that be at the club know this as well and that they will be making sure that positions are covered as I am sure that they have stated that they want our depth to be very good. Having great depth will help with us being successful for the years ahead.

 

[Dragon David]

Well there is one person that would really know that I'm aware of on here

Is it Mug Fan?

 

[Frank Facer]

How about throwing him into the deep end? I must have misread your story

Marshall debuted at 18 and then he debuted Galvin at 18. They were both light framed players. I have named countless others who were light framed 17 or 18 year olds who played well in their debut years. The good players who get "thrown in the deep end" survive and then thrive. I see Reed as our best number 7 and would pick him there. He is also 19 now.

 

[jodragon40]

Marshall debuted at 18 and then he debuted Galvin at 18. They were both light framed players. I have named countless others who were light framed 17 or 18 year olds who played well in their debut years. The good players who get "thrown in the deep end" survive and then thrive. I see Reed as our best number 7 and would pick him there. He is also 19 now.

Love to see the kid fast tracked especially if our new halves experiment fails. Im sure the coaches and club know what's best for him and the club

 

[GCRV]

Marshall debuted at 18 and then he debuted Galvin at 18. They were both light framed players. I have named countless others who were light framed 17 or 18 year olds who played well in their debut years. The good players who get "thrown in the deep end" survive and then thrive. I see Reed as our best number 7 and would pick him there. He is also 19 now.

Did they debut after playing only 1 reserve grade game?

 

[redv13]

Marshall debuted at 18 and then he debuted Galvin at 18. They were both light framed players. I have named countless others who were light framed 17 or 18 year olds who played well in their debut years. The good players who get "thrown in the deep end" survive and then thrive. I see Reed as our best number 7 and would pick him there. He is also 19 now.

And if he is “thrown in the deep end “ and doesn’t survive then the kid is screwed. How about we leave it to the coach and his assistants, HPU and the people who are with him every day at training to make the call of when Reed is ready.

 

[jodragon40]

And if he is “thrown in the deep end “ and doesn’t survive then the kid is screwed. How about we leave it to the coach and his assistants, HPU and the people who are with him every day at training to make the call of when Reed is ready.

Absolutely correct

 

[RufusRex]

Did they debut after playing only 1 reserve grade game?

Walker had 3 cup games under his belt ...

 

[Mailroomsgi]

the exception to the rule isn’t the rule

Andrew Johns has spoken about this. He said that Newcastle getting him to play so many games in reserve grade even when he thought he was ‘ready’ helped him immensely when he finally did debut

It is extremely rare for an 18YO-19YO half to come in and be able to play first grade especially a Halfback

Let him develop at his own pace and see where he’s at in 12 months

 

[RufusRex]

what happens if his own pace is now? i dont know the answer to this and not suggesting it is now ... but to say wait an arbitrary length of time in the same breath as saying "at his own pace" is a bit of an oxymoron.

 

[TheRev]

i think if we cop an injury then sure Reed plays some games ahead of ONeill now.. but just a few.. not a season.. and I dont think he can play 80mins either.. he was making all sorts of errors in that 2nd half and thats a trial without the workload they will send his way in a real game.

But the Kyle to 9 to cover Liddle thing is something I cant get out of my head.. I think its absurd yet I also can't think of the alternative.. unless we are yet to sign someone in the next few weeks which is hopefully what we are doing... that someone I assume will be the cup 9 if Liddle/Cook stay fit.

 

[jodragon40]

the exception to the rule isn’t the rule

Andrew Johns has spoken about this. He said that Newcastle getting him to play so many games in reserve grade even when he thought he was ‘ready’ helped him immensely when he finally did debut

It is extremely rare for an 18YO-19YO half to come in and be able to play first grade especially a Halfback

Let him develop at his own pace and see where he’s at in 12 months

We are most definitely on the same page. I dont want to be talking about this kid as another ' wotif ' player. He will have grown in confidence after that match now its time to let him grow both physically and mentally

 

[jodragon40]

i think if we cop an injury then sure Reed plays some games ahead of ONeill now.. but just a few.. not a season.. and I dont think he can play 80mins either.. he was making all sorts of errors in that 2nd half and thats a trial without the workload they will send his way in a real game.

But the Kyle to 9 to cover Liddle thing is something I cant get out of my head.. I think its absurd yet I also can't think of the alternative.. unless we are yet to sign someone in the next few weeks which is hopefully what we are doing... that someone I assume will be the cup 9 if Liddle/Cook stay fit.

My thoughts are im sure DA and the coach are all over it. Whether they can find that player if they are actively looking well time will tell

 

[jodragon40]

what happens if his own pace is now? i dont know the answer to this and not suggesting it is now ... but to say wait an arbitrary length of time in the same breath as saying "at his own pace" is a bit of an oxymoron.

To my old eyes he hasn't got the stamina to play 1sts for 80 minutes at the moment and he needs to be schooled on correct tackling techniques on men more than twice his size.

If I was still coaching ressies I'd welcome him into the team because in my view that's when the boys learn to play against the men.

He has the right skillset to be a successful 7 barring injury in 1sts but not this season. Just my views

 

[Mailroomsgi]

what happens if his own pace is now? i dont know the answer to this and not suggesting it is now ... but to say wait an arbitrary length of time in the same breath as saying "at his own pace" is a bit of an oxymoron.

He would be the smallest player to ever play in the NRL, the coaches obviously don’t think he’s physically ready yet

There isn’t an acceptable reason for him to play in the NRL right now with Kyle/Atkinson/LKT in the mix and healthy

The risk/reward of playing him now and dropping him for playing badly is not worth it. So to just assume his time could be now is incredibly naive.

There is no rush for him to play immediately, get some reps away from the spotlight in cup against grown men and hone the craft of the most testing and pressured position in the NRL