@African-Monkey don't disagree here at all. On the flip side I think Munster's 2nd half last night will be overlooked because of how easy they had it, but he gave them kittens and was at the heart of everything.
An underlooked offseason non-move for the Storm was managing to somehow keep Wishart. He's so valuable as a bench player.
@African-Monkey said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
Agree with the above. Melbourne spine were playing like it was finals football in round one. Chan and Lisati both showed what a dud Blore is (another Tiger offload). I doubt any team matched the Storm last night, question is, can they maintain the momentum especially if injuries to Grant, Hughes or Munster
In order, I have Grant, Hughes then Munster in terms of importance. Grant has an ability to carry the team on his own if need be. Hughes gives the side direction and can get his side to the right parts of the field, but if you take away Grant, it gives Hughes too much to do and allows sides to gang up on him at first receiver, and as much as I rate Munster, he don't function as well without those other 2.
They played without Grant for a lot last year (and when he was there he was below his best). He was certainly the pick last night though. Hughes though the last two years has been the great conductor for me, hence would rank him number one. Also having Katoa on his shoulder and catching high balls has also helped. If either of Chan or Lisati (or both) can add that aerial skill, then watch out the rest of us.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2026:
Any time all the hyphens are named i just assume we're fucked.
Hopefully someone has explained to DWZ that the expression "use the touchline as defender" doesn't mean that it will make the tackle for you.
@mariner4life Wishart will be a Bear in 2027.
Not getting ahead of myself but that conversion important, lead 16 and not 14. Don’t know how many games we have lost when leading by 14.
Still it’s the wahs new territory is always possible. Fun watch so far though (can’t help but wait for thud)
@MacDazzler said in NRL 2026:
Wishart will be a Bear in 2027.
Not necessarily, re the early comment about player managers @mariner4life
Wow wahs showed up, sure we had the rub of the green and thankfully ref largely overruled. But effort from team was outstanding.
Hats off to Tanah Boyd everyone waiting for Metcalf and puts in a performance like that, well done that man
Finally watching Wahs Roosters. Wow the Roosters were an ill disciplined bunch of whiny bitches weren't they? Must be the Michael Chieka effect... Warriors playing very well in the first half. Meaningful contributions from all the Wahs
@mariner4life said in NRL 2026:
Nepia's Jackson Ford hate watch in shambles
Very unwarriors win. Cha and indeed hooo
Luckily I missed this game (a big win like this has surely fucked the rest of our season though right?) and will be back to watch when he returns to his usual form.
The whole team played great. Fisher Harris and Clarke were beasts. As was Capewell. I'd love to get Whyte back to AKL when he comes off contract in 2029. But that's gotta be a pipe dream
Bunnies being slept on, they are stacked!! Koloamatagi, Murray and Fifita are all elite forwards, Aitken and Tatola are quality as well. And then they have so many good backs they can bump Graham to the wing.
Same old Dolphins, can make scoring points look ridiculously easy, but their defence stinks (25 missed tackles in teh first half alone!!) and a huge number of errors and penalties. Heaps to fix.
Meet the new Titans, same as the old Titans.
Broncos were putrid, and Penrith were good without being great. It's going to be a Storm v Penrith GF again isn't it?
Biggest takeaway from Round 1 is just how hard it is for teams to stop momentum. Even in a big win for the Wahs, it took a Roosters error from teh kick off to stop them running over the top of us. Yesterday the Dolphins closed in on the Bunnies and were on top until Walker's 40/20.
Early in the season the 6-agains are just stretching possession on and on and teams are getting gassed.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2026:
Bunnies being slept on, they are stacked!! Koloamatagi, Murray and Fifita are all elite forwards, Aitken and Tatola are quality as well. And then they have so many good backs they can bump Graham to the wing.
Same old Dolphins, can make scoring points look ridiculously easy, but their defence stinks (25 missed tackles in teh first half alone!!) and a huge number of errors and penalties. Heaps to fix.Meet the new Titans, same as the old Titans.
Broncos were putrid, and Penrith were good without being great. It's going to be a Storm v Penrith GF again isn't it?
Funny about the Rabbits. Was watching them thinking 'how do they look fucken elite again in the blink of an eye!' Obviously it's round 1 so i'll reserve judgement, but there's all of a sudden plenty of points in them when they're at full strength.
