NRL 2022
After a pretty quiet off-season, we're back this week. Penrith v Manly kick us off on Thursday night.
At this stage it appears the Warriors are still to be based on the Sunny Coast, any word on when they might get back to Mt Smart? The poor buggers are entering year 3 on the road.
God I really miss Sneak's season preview, his breakdown on the squad was always so good. I am not even attempting it, so I'll just stick to throwing around a few cliches and then just basing it all on last year
Top 4
Can anyone really see this moving? The best squads are still the best squads.
Penrith have had their depth eroded so will not be able to be protected from injury as well, and their entire game relies on Cleary's management and boot. If he stays fit they'll be at the pointy end.
The Roosters still have a great squad, look light at halfback, and will really on Keary's sponge head staying healthy.
Melbourne have one last crack at it before they get a bit broken up next year. Their success will rely on Munster actually being engaged in playing footy, not have a good time off-field. Still have the best coach in the game, and watch Xavier Coates score a million tries now he's out of Brisbane.
Souths have a good side, I rate their new coach (as do most in the NRL) but I think they are going to seriously miss Reynolds.
Manly might make it if Tommy Turbo's hamstrings stay together.
After that it gets murky. Parramatta are Parramatta, and never ever put it together, things don't seem to be happy there, Gutherson is wildly overrated, and I don't think Arthurs is a good coach. Cronulla have the apparently new gun coach on the scene, and have recruited pretty well. Can Nico Hynes play halfback? Is this the year that the Titans finally put it together? They have heaps of talent, but question marks in the halves (even without Taylors huge contract). The Dragons appear to have recruited will, and Griffin is a solid is unspectacular coach.
The Tigers will come 9th.
The Bottom
The Dogs went heavy on recruitment but Barrett is a shockingly bad coach apparently, so they are cooked. The Cowboys made so many bad signings, and have fuck all in the spine. That's your bottom 2 right there.
I expect the Warriors to finish 10th or so.
Newcastle don't have a half even good enough to replace Mitchell Pearce so are probably cooked.
Don't expect much out of the Broncos. Kevvie has no clue, they are weak in the halves, and question marks everywhere else. Already whinging from the players that preseason was too hard. Canberra will do nothing and Sticky is already on the whinge train hard.
Mariners in no way to be relied on ladder
Penrith Roosters Melbourne Souths Manly Cronulla Parra Gold Coast St George Tigers Warriors Canberra Newcastle Brisbane Cowboys Dogs
@mariner4life said in NRL 2022:
wa hey, the law of unintended consequences raises its ugly head.
The NRL allow Souths to count the All Stars game against Latrell's big suspension, getting him back a game early.
Melbourne and the Warriors jump straight on that bandwagon, and the NRL are forced to allow the same loophole for Smith and Walsh.
And of course it's the Raiders who ultimately get the shaft. Apparently they rang up and enquired about this, were told that no off-field suspension could be reduced for the All Star game, so they let Rapana play (he's suspended for drink driving). Rapana being a dumb fluffybunny, then got himself a ban from that game.
So despite saying off-field suspensions wouldn't be rubbed out by the AS game, they let Cheese and Walsh off, And then Canberra got double-fucked (which is funny because fuck Ricky, and Rapana is a massive grub).
Just shit all round from the NRL just because they wanted their big name back in the game
its funny though right, bogan reality, its the MAFS of sport..where else do you get a coach who says “It is the Canberra Raiders copping it up the arse again. " Classic Sticky rant and of course that is the headline
Kick off for round one, clearly just round the corner..
At least we get Walsh back for round two
@mariner4life said in NRL 2022:
what. the. FUCK
The Warriors have signed Dylan Walker
Are we doing a Cronulla and going after every shit bloke in the fucking comp?
Perhaps Shannon Frizzell as a code-hopper is next?
WTF? really? I don't think he was that bad a player, but as a person he is an ahole ..seems to be part of recruitment mantra right now
@bayimports can play. but does that really outweigh the off field shit?
FFS the only reason he isn't in jail is because his missus changed her story to "he touched my hair and i fell over, while holding our baby"
@mariner4life said in NRL 2022:
what. the. FUCK
The Warriors have signed Dylan Walker
Are we doing a Cronulla and going after every shit bloke in the fucking comp?
Perhaps Shannon Frizzell as a code-hopper is next?
Yep, the fucking plan to create a team of dropkicks is coming along nicely.
They've got a lucky to avoid jail time clique now.
Funny thread on reddit about the signing, a third saying people may actually like Manly now, the rest unsurprisingly teeing off at how bad it is and very small minority going oh wait, its not Cody, its Dylan..shit
but overall this is a terrible signing in my opinion as well
With the six again rule, smaller middle players like Walker are the way to go right now. Not sure how the Warriors intend to use him though.
I wish we chased after Connor Watson last year instead, but we had zero interest in him and the Roosters ended up signing him for cheap. He's a better version of Walker and probably the best utility in the NRL.
@mariner4life yeah I also am not going to attempt a sneak preview, that takes time and I dont have that and I wont use spell check either, so fuck you pendants in advance lol. No idea on when they go back as the original date got canned thanks to NZ previous rules on when people could enter NZ, so potentially enough time to play some games now this year there.
I will say for the warriors that their top team could create a few headaches for the big teams. If they stay injury free and avoid suspension then potentially they should be top 8, even located where they are. The problem is that key players like SJs hammys are worse now than Turbos, Curran although impressive looks like a concussion magnet, E.Kotoa and CHT are also injury magnets and we have a forward pack that in general will go through a suspension rotation. Not to forget no Tohu until about half way through the season. Still at least we should look ok for round one, although a little toothless at fullback attackwise. How long does it take SJ to fit in? How long before Taniela Otukolo gets a run and Egan benched? How long also before CHT signs with Canberra to cover the Fogarty loss?
A Possible best 17
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Matt Lodge, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Euan Aitken, 13. Josh Curran, 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bayley Sironen, 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 17. Bunty Afoa.
Likely Round 1 17.
1. Chanel Tavita Harris, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. E.Katoa, 12. Euan Aitken, 13. Bayley Sironen, 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Josh Curran , 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 17. Aaron Pene.
Top 4
Clearly I am hearing wont play until round 4 and a tough start to their draw. I suspect they finish in the 4, just not on top. Roosters, Manly, Melbourne will be my picks. Turbo stayed relatively injury free last year after his drunken beginning racing punters in Manly. So while he remains booze free, they are a chance.
Next lot
Paramatta start well, just wont finish there. Cronulla look ok if they can stay injury free, I expect the Hynes Nikora combo to do really well. I agree Dragons fans might have something to smile about, and the Titans have some really game winners in that stable. I do expect the young kids of Sexton and Campbell to do well. Souths have some changes and fatrell, who on his day is a game breaker, but put him off his game and he will sit on the side lines for half a year. Still they will be thereabouts
The rest
I agree with you, dont see much different, although the Tigers I dont see as high, unless Hastings runs the show like a pro..so my unreliable table is
Roosters
Penrith
Manly
Melbourne
Cronulla
Souths
Parra
Gold Coast
St George
Warriors
Canberra
Newcastle
Cowboys
Tigers
Brisbane
Dogs
@crazy-horse said in NRL 2022:
Do we know what happened with Sneak? I miss his insights as well.
Me too, he usually kept me interested at the start of each season when I'm usually still disillusioned with the idiocy of the Warriors. Really not sure I'll watch much state house rugby this year as I can't bring myself to support another team (which was my original plan for this year) and almost dislike the Warriors as much as the Canes.
@bayimports said in NRL 2022:
fuck you pendants in advance
I'm guessing you did that deliberately 
(Yes, yes, I get the irony.)
Warriors line up for round 1;
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Viliame Vailea
- Rocco Berry
- Marcelo Montoya
- Kodi Nikorima
- Shaun Johnson
- Addin Fonua-Blake (c)
- Wayde Egan
- Bunty Afoa
- Euan Aitken
- Eliesa Katoa
- Josh Curran
Interchange (from): Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Aaron Pene, Bayley Sironen; Jack Murchie, Ash Taylor, Adam Pompey, Pride Petterson-Robati, Taniela Otukolo, Jesse Arthars, Edward Kosi.
Never heard of the 19 year old centre Vailea, can only assume he goes alright if he’s being thrown in at such a young age.
Warriors line up for round 1;
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Viliame Vailea
- Rocco Berry
- Marcelo Montoya
- Kodi Nikorima
- Shaun Johnson
- Addin Fonua-Blake (c)
- Wayde Egan
- Bunty Afoa
- Euan Aitken
- Eliesa Katoa
- Josh Curran
Interchange (from): Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Aaron Pene, Bayley Sironen; Jack Murchie, Ash Taylor, Adam Pompey, Pride Petterson-Robati, Taniela Otukolo, Jesse Arthars, Edward Kosi.
Never heard of the 19 year old centre Vailea, can only assume he goes alright if he’s being thrown in at such a young age.
sigh.
Jazz Tevaga to come on, try really hard, contribute fuck all. Then make poor errors.
Not sure that backline screams points, so i guess we have to be grinding tight Warriors. Which is not in the club's DNA
Viliame Vailea gets first go ahead of Pompey which is in the past either works for the warriors or he gets assigned back to reserve grade for rest of the season after two rounds.
Tyrell Sloan is a future star, I expect him to carve up and Dragons to continue their significant win/loss ratio over us. It is a young team and could go either way I guess. Given our future star (maybe only here for this year) is back next week and I dare say I think without him our attacking options will be lacking. Its pretty easy to shut down SJ these days if no other attacking point and Kodi has a habit of drifting in and out of games. I think defensively we might hang in there for a while, but not a win. Dragons by 10
i think it's disgraceful the way Walsh is being shopped via the media.
I'm not one of these "show loyalty or fuck off" guys. A guys contract is for a certain length, if he wants to go at the end, well we got what we paid for. But more than a season early just being whored out via Fox Sports? NRL player managers are the fucking worst people on earth.
Saw this on twitter. It was just a Sydney Morning Herald poll, but what are your thoughts on a 2nd NZ team in the NRL?
But also:
The Sydney Morning Herald approached all 31 of the NRL club chief executives and chairmen to take part in an anonymous poll covering the big issues in the sport, and 23 responded. In the first of a two-part series, this is how the game’s most influential figures view its burning questions on the eve of the season.
Another key take-out from the annual Herald poll is the support of an 18th team to join the competition before 2027.
With the Redcliffe Dolphins awarded a license as the 17th side for the 2023 season, the favoured destination for an 18th team is to add a second franchise in New Zealand alongside the Warriors.
Teams are cheating: NRL club bosses’ concerning revelation
More than two-thirds of NRL club bosses believe there are teams who are rorting the system by facilitating off-the-books payments to their players outside the salary cap.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2022:
i think it's disgraceful the way Walsh is being shopped via the media.
I'm not one of these "show loyalty or fuck off" guys. A guys contract is for a certain length, if he wants to go at the end, well we got what we paid for. But more than a season early just being whored out via Fox Sports? NRL player managers are the fucking worst people on earth.
Yes, I agree with you players should be professional enough to play out a contract anywhere in general. I think there should be relief for extenuating circumstances..just needs to be a bloody good reason though
The player managers and media though certainly do not help any team, only their players and their stories. grubs.
@stargazer said in NRL 2022:
Saw this on twitter. It was just a Sydney Morning Herald poll, but what are your thoughts on a 2nd NZ team in the NRL?
But also:
The Sydney Morning Herald approached all 31 of the NRL club chief executives and chairmen to take part in an anonymous poll covering the big issues in the sport, and 23 responded. In the first of a two-part series, this is how the game’s most influential figures view its burning questions on the eve of the season.
Another key take-out from the annual Herald poll is the support of an 18th team to join the competition before 2027.
With the Redcliffe Dolphins awarded a license as the 17th side for the 2023 season, the favoured destination for an 18th team is to add a second franchise in New Zealand alongside the Warriors.
More than two-thirds of NRL club bosses believe there are teams who are rorting the system by facilitating off-the-books payments to their players outside the salary cap.
18 teams I have no problem with. The warriors have had plenty of seasons to get things right (and havent), so no objection to a second team in NZ either.
Does it weaken their overall product?, In my mind yes, more second graders playing first grade
Does it increase their audience? If NZ, maybe not much overall?
Will players get more money? Yes, but you might have to play elsewhere
So probably for me it appeals to the players more than anything, surely there would need to be a good business case though to even justify an 18th team. Perhaps they wlll evaluate the success/failure of the impact of the dolphins first?
no probs another NZ team. Don't expect them to be any good. Or the product to be better. but hey, another game every weekend aye Foxtel?
Also of course the club Chairmen think everyone is cheating the cap. I mean, they know they are themselves, so stands to reason everyone else is.
Warriors line up for round 1;
- Kodi Nikorima
- Shaun Johnson
- Wayde Egan
It’s our year ?
If league didn’t require good kicking, solid 5th tackle play, and setting up team mates, this is the halves and hooker combo that you’d pick.
We could be playing some Qld Cup side and with that spine we would get done.
@act-crusader said in NRL 2022:
Warriors line up for round 1;
- Kodi Nikorima
- Shaun Johnson
- Wayde Egan
It’s our year ?
If league didn’t require good kicking, solid 5th tackle play, and setting up team mates, this is the halves and hooker combo that you’d pick.
We could be playing some Qld Cup side and with that spine we would get done.
yep. this
also, if it was still 5 years ago, and the best attack was hookers who only pass, and sweeping out the back was the only way to attack.
Way to keep up with the game Brown.
Of course O'Sullivan looks like a stud for the Panthers...
SOS had some positive moments for us, but he had more failures. I do not also underestimate the difference of playing with the team around him. All players knew their roles in a play, whereas the warriors it usually comes down to one player having to create everything.
Of course O'Sullivan looks like a stud for the Panthers...
I find this hard to believe, he didn't look good enough to play for the Flaxmere Falcons last year. But I can't be arsed watching the game.
Almost had as many try assists in this game than he did all of last season. Playing with a stacked team certainly helps.
I think Taumalolo is done as a top player. Just doesn't have the same pop in his carries.
I think he is short of a gallop although Payton not giving him minutes last year or this year is this year so far is a worry. You are right though, not having the impact you would expect and a lot of salary cap right there too
So Warriors first game goes as what most expected, moment of excitement and moments of same old dumb sh*t, brain fades and drift out of games. Oddly enough the same can be said for the opposition who got it together though late when it counted. Highlights included SJ as a dominant half not overplaying his hand had some good touches for his first game back and hopefully will play foil for Reece Walsh next week. AFB making 60 metres off a kick off, Curran getting through a mountain of work, often even turning up to help CHT at the back, even earnt himself 3 DM points on a losing team. Lowlights: Apart from losing a winnable game, failing to find the right play on the last tackle, Viliame Vailea and DWZ injured already. Although Pompey, Aitken and Arthurs is a very handy back up
Some rule changes that could help this year;
Carry-over points for contrary conduct will be scrapped as part of a variety of changes to the NRL's Match Review Committee and judiciary processes. Players serving suspensions for on-field incidents from 2021 - such as Latrell Mitchell, Matt Lodge and Harry Grant - must still serve those bans.
However, all players will have their slate wiped clean ahead of the upcoming season, with player records to be reset on a rolling 12-month period since their last offence.
Speaking of back up, the Storm lose Brandon Smith (hand), G Jennings (knee), Welch (calf) and still win, in this week, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, J. Bromwich, D.Ieremea.. that is an impressive depth of squad.
@bayimports add SJ now out for 4 weeks..too early to call spoon?? lol.. a