Post Match Preseason 2025 Trial 1 - Warriors vs Sharks

[Damo]

Worth a shot in the next trial

I'd be backing Metcalf as #7, Boyd backup, CHT and TMM can battle for the #6.

I'd be worried if Webby strays from Plan A after one trial game.

 

[John Nick]

I'd be backing Metcalf as #7, Boyd backup, CHT and TMM can battle for the #6.

I'd be worried if Webby strays from Plan A after one trial game.

I don't like TMM at 6. Goes missing

 

[dylpickle]

Without reading all 9 pages, surely Kosi can't be considered for ANY NRL games this season. He isn't at any level ready.
Daeon should be our backup winger.

 

[Damo]

I don't like TMM at 6. Goes missing

Then pick CHT. Metcalf has the keys to #7 for the foreseeable future.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Still an offload wouldn’t hurt, or a side step maybe.
Buntys done imo. Ale needs a proper run

Ive been very harsh on Bunty previously, however I thought he looked like he had more leg drive and energy in the collision.

His defence has always been great, so if he was to play like that id be happy to have him in the team most weeks.

JFH also played a bit of 13 for Penny (about 2 full years worth) so if we're really looking at knuckling down and playing defensive heavy for certain games, we could have Fish at 13 and start with Bunty and Barny as starting props. Or who ever this mystery prop is were looking at from Manly

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I don't like TMM at 6. Goes missing

Lockyer and Thurston. Thurston and Cronk. Cleary and Luai. Our 7 and Casper.....year after year.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I didn't get to watch it til this morning. I thought it was a decent enough trial and was a bit surprised by the negativity in the gameday thread. I was also fine with the ref, go figure! It is good that we don't have new rules this year, just some focus on old ones. Like Cronk said, the refs can concentrate on consistency now. The diving one will get us at some point of the season from the shitty, corrupt bunker!

What stood out to me is what we already know - we need outside back signings desperately, and a quality signing in the halfs. Ball control was shit, but in the first blast on a hot NSW night, I'm not sure it was going to go any other way.

Bunty has been a trial specialist since day dot. I guess that comes with being on the fringes. He is playing for his spot. I remember watching him at a trial in Palmy against the Storm many moons ago and he was a rampaging, offloading weapon. It was going to be his season, and I think it has felt like that every trial since. I just think others lift when things get serious, and he can't quite match it. A great depth player who does the dirty work well.

I have been very excited about Metcalf at 7 and Healey from watching him last year. They didn't disappoint, and quality in those positions will go a long way to making us a better team. My biggest hope is that we go back to having an impactful bench like in 2023, and I believe we have the right mix for that this year. That will be big, and could turn some of those tight losses from last year.

Daeon Amituanai has promise and we desperately need him. I still think, that without an outside back signing for this year we are also-rans. I'm hopeful that it is coming. Hopefully we still have the Christmas tree up for late presents.

That first try was a worry, but we kept it pretty tight against limited pressure for the rest of the game.

Tuapiki is so neat on his feet. I'd love to have him at wing, but feel he will get manhandled week in, week out in FG. I'd like to see him at 6 in the next trial, but you can basically put a line through him at 6 in FG, Webster has too many options he would turn to first.

Demitric Vaimauga showed his obvious talent. It is a shame he missed a year, but his time is now. I can't wait until Halasima is back in the mix. It is so exciting to see young guys coming through. It is such a long time coming for this club.

Overall, I'm pretty content with the game, but I'm not one that rates our chances this year as our squad presently stands.

 

[Stalefish540]

I'd be backing Metcalf as #7, Boyd backup, CHT and TMM can battle for the #6.

I'd be worried if Webby strays from Plan A after one trial game.

I agree, Metcalf at 7 and CHT at 6 for me.

CHT is eyes up and always keen to be involved in the game at 6, a perfect role player at if Metcalf is going to be so dominant. Reasonable back up kicking game with a left foot. Strong defender, and is always pushing up in support. Feel as though if you removed the goal kicking yips from last year then people wouldn't be so off him. I've always been a big supporter though, so chances are I have my rose tints on. I'm willing to cut him some slack coming back after a year off, and hoping he's ready to go in 2025.

Can't honestly believe people are throwing up Boyd's name though as a potential starter. Don't think they caught the Titans games he played last year before getting full time hooked for Foz at 7. Can't remember seeing a halfback get caught without kicking the ball or knocking it on the 5th so many times ever in FG games. It was grim watching as a neutral fan let alone a Titans fan.

 

[WA Warrior]

I agree, Metcalf at 7 and CHT at 6 for me.

CHT is eyes up and always keen to be involved in the game at 6, a perfect role player at if Metcalf is going to be so dominant. Reasonable back up kicking game with a left foot. Strong defender, and is always pushing up in support. Feel as though if you removed the goal kicking yips from last year then people wouldn't be so off him. I've always been a big supporter though, so chances are I have my rose tints on. I'm willing to cut him some slack coming back after a year off, and hoping he's ready to go in 2025.

Can't honestly believe people are throwing up Boyd's name though as a potential starter. Don't think they caught the Titans games he played last year before getting full time hooked for Foz at 7. Can't remember seeing a halfback get caught without kicking the ball or knocking it on the 5th so many times ever in FG games. It was grim watching as a neutral fan let alone a Titans fan.

I can’t believe you have such a negative look on people who think Boyd should get a shot and at the same time talk CHT up so much after his form last year as well.
I hope they both get a run next week to fight for their positions.

 

[Inruin]

Then pick CHT. Metcalf has the keys to #7 for the foreseeable future.

Has AW, after saying he won't lock in players like he did with RTS at centre comments, just gone and done exactly that with LM?

 

[Damo]

Has AW, after saying he won't lock in players like he did with RTS at centre comments, just gone and done exactly that with LM?

No, this is purely my opinion. A new spine needs time to gel, you don't just ditch it after one trial.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I can’t believe you have such a negative look on people who think Boyd should get a shot and at the same time talk CHT up so much after his form last year as well.
I hope they both get a run next week to fight for their positions.

We will need every half on our books available at some point throughout the season because only Pompey and Bunty are my picks for availability for every game at this point.

 

[Stalefish540]

I can’t believe you have such a negative look on people who think Boyd should get a shot and at the same time talk CHT up so much after his form last year as well.
I hope they both get a run next week to fight for their positions.

I thought bar the goal kicking issues which he was 4th or 5th string CHT was decent at 6 when given the chance last year.

I couldn't watch the Titans with Boyd at halfback. But we needed to fill the 4th half spot in our roster and there wasn't any other viable options so not mad at the signing as he's a back up option with FG experience.

 

[WA Warrior]

No, this is purely my opinion. A new spine needs time to gel, you don't just ditch it after one trial.

Webby did say he had the keys to the castle in an interview, it was regarding his kicking game the most but also said he was giving Luke a lot responsibility as well.
Not sure that’s definitive though.

 

[Damo]

Webby did say he had the keys to the castle in an interview, it was regarding his kicking game the most but also said he was giving Luke a lot responsibility as well.
Not sure that’s definitive though.

Yeah, its not like he was locked into Roger at centre anyway. He ended up playing in multiple positions nearly instantly

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I thought bar the goal kicking issues which he was 4th or 5th string CHT was decent at 6 when given the chance last year.

I couldn't watch the Titans with Boyd at halfback. But we needed to fill the 4th half spot in our roster and there wasn't any other viable options so not mad at the signing as he's a back up option with FG experience.

I'm happy to see CHT given another shot. At least he looks like he gives a fuck on the field.

 

[Leon Black]

Going to be a long , frustrating season fullas & Fullettes. Feel sorry for my Aussie neighbours each time we lose and I scream out to them for a one outs.

Same Waka but let’s hope we have egg on our face at seasons end. This time last season we were thinking NRL Champions

I didn't get to watch it til this morning. I thought it was a decent enough trial and was a bit surprised by the negativity in the gameday thread. I was also fine with the ref, go figure! It is good that we don't have new rules this year, just some focus on old ones. Like Cronk said, the refs can concentrate on consistency now. The diving one will get us at some point of the season from the shitty, corrupt bunker!

What stood out to me is what we already know - we need outside back signings desperately, and a quality signing in the halfs. Ball control was shit, but in the first blast on a hot NSW night, I'm not sure it was going to go any other way.

Bunty has been a trial specialist since day dot. I guess that comes with being on the fringes. He is playing for his spot. I remember watching him at a trial in Palmy against the Storm many moons ago and he was a rampaging, offloading weapon. It was going to be his season, and I think it has felt like that every trial since. I just think others lift when things get serious, and he can't quite match it. A great depth player who does the dirty work well.

I have been very excited about Metcalf at 7 and Healey from watching him last year. They didn't disappoint, and quality in those positions will go a long way to making us a better team. My biggest hope is that we go back to having an impactful bench like in 2023, and I believe we have the right mix for that this year. That will be big, and could turn some of those tight losses from last year.

Daeon Amituanai has promise and we desperately need him. I still think, that without an outside back signing for this year we are also-rans. I'm hopeful that it is coming. Hopefully we still have the Christmas tree up for late presents.

That first try was a worry, but we kept it pretty tight against limited pressure for the rest of the game.

Tuapiki is so neat on his feet. I'd love to have him at wing, but feel he will get manhandled week in, week out in FG. I'd like to see him at 6 in the next trial, but you can basically put a line through him at 6 in FG, Webster has too many options he would turn to first.

Demitric Vaimauga showed his obvious talent. It is a shame he missed a year, but his time is now. I can't wait until Halasima is back in the mix. It is so exciting to see young guys coming through. It is such a long time coming for this club.

Overall, I'm pretty content with the game, but I'm not one that rates our chances this year as our squad presently stands.

If you watched carefully following Shark sets after we got pinged for no foot on the ball they did it as well, no penalty or call. He is a dead set joke Liam Kennedy or whatever his name is.

 

[doeeyedwarrior]

Some real positives from last night

Effort areas were a big key feature, I can remember at one point Laban being left of the floor after a tackle and the Sharks player going for a quick PTB, Laban grafted to make it back to 1st marker in time to hassle the dummy half.

Clark chasing back and forcing the turnover after a Sharks break away and at one point I remember the Sharks making a break down the left touchline on for the winger to be met by 4 players coming across in cover.

CNK, TMM, Metcalf, all our forwards looked good. Tuapiki as back up FB/wing might not be a bad move moving forward

Yeah Kosi dropped the ball with his first touch but dusted himself off and was one of the highest metres makers. So we could do with fans getting off his back, he could of easily gone missing for the rest of the game

 

[Noitall]

View: https://x.com/BarryToohey/status/1888019717161631998

Hazelton after around $600k per season apparently. An article at least mentions Warriors interest, anyone think he’d be a handy pickup?

 

[Wrighty]

was mortified by the performance of our warriors youngsters for the first five minutes they were out there. Worse than headless chickens. Mistake after mistake. No concentration. Over excitement. No focus. I was extremely concerned about the future of our club if those are our prospects.
But wait ...........then after 5 minutes a wave came over all of them and they settled down to the task at hand played the last 15 minutes with strong composure and gave an excellent accounting of themselves. They played as a team and Jett Cleary guided them around the park and Luke Hanson tackled like there was no tomorrow and then put on big shots and they made the most of their opportunity.
Next time the coaches have to do a much better job of calming the youngsters down. Yes it was the biggest game some of them had played in. Yes it was nationally and internationally televised. Yes it was in prime time on TV. But their initial behaviour was exactly like Zyon Maiu’u's out of control performance last year that got him sent off the field. Alls well that ends well though and like I say it was like a magical wave came over all of them after 5 minutes and then they settled and played very well all things considered.