Does anyone know when the NSW cup draw for next season will be released? Living in Melbourne and with the Storm joining the comp, i'm keen to get to a few cup games
And I'll admit, the junior comps this year have me - as someone who is laser-focused on the NRL/NRLW, since that's what people pay to watch - wanting to watch them.
I know there's talk about Burton leaving in 2027. If he does go, what will our spine be like? Will we still have Tracey at fullback in two years? Hayward at 9? Will Galvin be at 7 or move to 6 to accommodate Mitch Woods at 7?
We have a bit of an odd mix as far as established first graders and unknown prospects in the spine. I think whatever collection of spine players look like having the most chemistry together will determine the long-term make-up.
Burton is a strong runner with a big boot and Tracey is all-effort, but they are not elite-level spine members when it comes to playmaking.
I think the coaching staff are looking to find two things - a dominant playmaker and a creative spine member - a player in the ilk of Ponga, Walsh, Munster etc who can play structured but also deviate and play what's in front of them to generate points. I think Galvin was bought on the potential of being the creative member due to the ad-lib play he displayed in 2024. I'm not sure (and I don't think anyone knows yet) whether he can develop into an organisational half similar to how someone like Moses progressed over his career.
Woods is an unknown quality - promising young halves don't always make the jump into first grade and he doesn't really have any mentor (especially if they go with Hayward, him, Galvin, Tracey at some point).
Hayward has a pretty tough task of transitioning into being a hooker in first grade after being a half his whole junior career and essentially a ball-playing lock last year but he currently looks the most certain to be retained long term.
Galvin's playmaking will be elite. He's just not an organiser. He needs to be the 6 next to a genuine 7, then they should use the money from Burton/Curran to sign an elite fullback
There are still a lot of moving pieces in that Bulldogs side.
Punting Mahoney and going all-in on Hayward at 9 was certainly a choice, perhaps one that was more cap-related than for footballing reasons.
Tracey, or Dyl Edwards-Lite, is solid enough but still has a few too many unforced errors in his game, Dogs would be silly to not be monitoring the Bula situation at the Tigers.
The whole Galvin/Burton thing needs a full post/pre-season. Galvin has the tools to play 7, but he doesn't look a natural one. If the experiment fails and Burton isn't happy to shift to the centers or lock, then sure I can see Galvin being given the 6 and Woods getting a crack.
The biggest issue though is having a player as physically and mentally talented as Stephen Crichton playing in the centers, without halves who organise play well enough to create opportunities for him.
Agreed. Hayward needs to physically develop into a proper 80min dummy half if he is to stay there. I like him as a player. His better games were coming on from the bench utility spot tho. His physique is more of a 5/8th than a 9.
They're probably looking at Bula but I don't see them doing it. At least for now. And Galvin I think is better at 5/8th than halfback.
Preseason content, what has been your favourite piece so far ? Love the big boys wrestling on the sand (pause) but you can really appreciate trell and dave going at it. South Sydney if healthy are going to be a massive problem
Eels just had a training session with every player from 1st grade and the two below, looked pretty cool. Loving the more club-wide mentality they’re going for.
South Sydney and Dolphins are the two teams most cruelled by injuries last season. If both can stay healthy and keep their starting 17 on the field I really think both will crack final 8 next year.
Question is: Who will they push out of the final 8?.
I’d argue my warriors were cruelled by injuries just as much maybe not so much as in the amount but the key player nature. Also remembering rts was out injured for a portion too I think dolphins will be the e biggest improver this year
Nah lad just following different teams on the socials and they put up snippets of pre season camps etc. pretty cool to see what the other teams supporters are getting
Saw him at Heffron a coupla months ago. Looked pretty trim and I think he was still in rehab. Next year, if everyone stays healthy, and that's a very big if, then our left side of Walker/Fifita/Mitchell/Johnston are going to cause some teams immense problems. That middle pair is a pretty big upgrade from how we finished the year with Host and Tass with Tallis Duncan occasionally filling in at centre.
I remember Easts fans drooling over Mark N in that last game with all those tries. Doubt it will happen next year with Latrell and Graham replacing part-timers in the centres. We'll see.
Does anyone know when the NSW cup draw for next season will be released? Living in Melbourne and with the Storm joining the comp, i'm keen to get to a few cup games
The NSW Cup 2026 draw hasn't been released yet, but the junior comp draws have. Stay tuned.
Ah cheers. I'll keep an eye out
And I'll admit, the junior comps this year have me - as someone who is laser-focused on the NRL/NRLW, since that's what people pay to watch - wanting to watch them.
Yeah, even as a supporter of another team, it's good to see the big uptick in young Victorians in the Storm system.
I've always loved watching NSW cup and Jersey Flegg and then seeing some of those players break out and become stars in the NRL
Next season should really be great. The competition is genuinely wide open.
I concur with you on that.
I know there's talk about Burton leaving in 2027. If he does go, what will our spine be like? Will we still have Tracey at fullback in two years? Hayward at 9? Will Galvin be at 7 or move to 6 to accommodate Mitch Woods at 7?
We have a bit of an odd mix as far as established first graders and unknown prospects in the spine. I think whatever collection of spine players look like having the most chemistry together will determine the long-term make-up.
Burton is a strong runner with a big boot and Tracey is all-effort, but they are not elite-level spine members when it comes to playmaking.
I think the coaching staff are looking to find two things - a dominant playmaker and a creative spine member - a player in the ilk of Ponga, Walsh, Munster etc who can play structured but also deviate and play what's in front of them to generate points. I think Galvin was bought on the potential of being the creative member due to the ad-lib play he displayed in 2024. I'm not sure (and I don't think anyone knows yet) whether he can develop into an organisational half similar to how someone like Moses progressed over his career.
Woods is an unknown quality - promising young halves don't always make the jump into first grade and he doesn't really have any mentor (especially if they go with Hayward, him, Galvin, Tracey at some point).
Hayward has a pretty tough task of transitioning into being a hooker in first grade after being a half his whole junior career and essentially a ball-playing lock last year but he currently looks the most certain to be retained long term.
Galvin's playmaking will be elite. He's just not an organiser. He needs to be the 6 next to a genuine 7, then they should use the money from Burton/Curran to sign an elite fullback
There are still a lot of moving pieces in that Bulldogs side.
Punting Mahoney and going all-in on Hayward at 9 was certainly a choice, perhaps one that was more cap-related than for footballing reasons.
Tracey, or Dyl Edwards-Lite, is solid enough but still has a few too many unforced errors in his game, Dogs would be silly to not be monitoring the Bula situation at the Tigers.
The whole Galvin/Burton thing needs a full post/pre-season. Galvin has the tools to play 7, but he doesn't look a natural one. If the experiment fails and Burton isn't happy to shift to the centers or lock, then sure I can see Galvin being given the 6 and Woods getting a crack.
The biggest issue though is having a player as physically and mentally talented as Stephen Crichton playing in the centers, without halves who organise play well enough to create opportunities for him.
Agreed. Hayward needs to physically develop into a proper 80min dummy half if he is to stay there. I like him as a player. His better games were coming on from the bench utility spot tho. His physique is more of a 5/8th than a 9.
They're probably looking at Bula but I don't see them doing it. At least for now. And Galvin I think is better at 5/8th than halfback.
With all due respect, keep your hands off my Seany Russ, Bears.
Preseason content, what has been your favourite piece so far ? Love the big boys wrestling on the sand (pause) but you can really appreciate trell and dave going at it. South Sydney if healthy are going to be a massive problem
Eels just had a training session with every player from 1st grade and the two below, looked pretty cool. Loving the more club-wide mentality they’re going for.
South Sydney and Dolphins are the two teams most cruelled by injuries last season. If both can stay healthy and keep their starting 17 on the field I really think both will crack final 8 next year.
Question is: Who will they push out of the final 8?.
My guess is Sharks and Raiders.
I am saying it now that the Raiders will be competitive again.
This is gonna age like milk.
Eh, the caveats of either the Dolphins and Rabbits keeping their best 17 on the field makes the point moot to be fair.
The Bunnies in particular need to find out where the voodoo-dolls of their players are being kept.
Their strength and conditioning department have them.
We play each other round one as well, should be a cracking game if everyone is available.
I’d argue my warriors were cruelled by injuries just as much maybe not so much as in the amount but the key player nature. Also remembering rts was out injured for a portion too I think dolphins will be the e biggest improver this year
I don't know why you got downvoted, maybe because what you said was true, it killed your finals run.
Seeing all the new coaches in Canberra. I've been pumped seeing Whitehead back and even people like Frawley returning brings a smile.
They on youtube or something?
Nah lad just following different teams on the socials and they put up snippets of pre season camps etc. pretty cool to see what the other teams supporters are getting
The Souths wrestling videos are mental, Trell looks like he's been hitting the gym hard in the off-season
Saw him at Heffron a coupla months ago. Looked pretty trim and I think he was still in rehab. Next year, if everyone stays healthy, and that's a very big if, then our left side of Walker/Fifita/Mitchell/Johnston are going to cause some teams immense problems. That middle pair is a pretty big upgrade from how we finished the year with Host and Tass with Tallis Duncan occasionally filling in at centre.
I remember Easts fans drooling over Mark N in that last game with all those tries. Doubt it will happen next year with Latrell and Graham replacing part-timers in the centres. We'll see.
A tale as old as time
Fittest he's ever been some are saying
Some might even say....
"He's training the house down"
Whose house?
Not ours