Alan Robertson

I'm guessing that Brandon Smith will now be on the bench (from 'outside of the original 17')

An article about NRLW heritage players, Origin and international eligibility: https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/07/04/travis-kelleher-back-move-for-nrlw-stars-to-bolster-england/ If we separate the wider topic (which would include eligibility for the men/NRL players), I'd argue that the players named in this article could help the England women's side significantly.

'Answering' your question another way, how many Queenslanders would make the NSW team? I'd argue, 'not many' but we know which team won SoO Game Two. Edit: I think that we're 'up against it', I just want to have some hope until (at least) 1st November.

I could/should have been more specific. Despite emigrating to Australia many years ago, I have never 'adjusted' to the lack of chanting/singing (and, therefore, 'silence') during 'general play'. Aussie crowds do make plenty of noise during the 'exciting moments' but I have found Suncorp to be 'too quiet, too often' - even with 50odd thousand fans present.

I agree, unfortunately, the atmosphere at Australian stadiums tends to be extremely flat (with too many 'quiet moments') unless the noise level is artificially enhanced. This phenomenon, bizarrely, still occurs at Origin matches. Yes, I've attended Origin matches in Queensland and NSW.

Dom Young scored a try today. (Also a try for, Leeds-born, KL Iro of the Sharks).

I missed this post at the time (otherwise I wouldn't have 'doubled up' the information).

Young is back in the Roosters side this week.

Is King a 'heritage player'? I'm, somewhat, playing devil's advocate but I can accept an argument where he's considered 'more' than a heritage player.

As I've said recently - I would pick him, based on ability. 'Philosophically', I'm not sure who should have been expected to make the 'first move', King or Wane. Clearly, most of us won't know what has or hasn't happened behind the scenes. (As a side note, as a parent of two dual-citizen children, I'm extremely confident that each of them would represent England or Australia with equal passion if they were selected to play international sport).

I'm guessing that today's announcement is probably the end of the story regarding potential England selection for King. Although I openly thought that he could have added something to England's side, I always suspected that it wouldn't happen.

Max King ran 179 metres and made 31 tackles in the Bulldogs' latest win. Some of the metres were 'very tough metres' with consistently solid defence too. I'd argue that he has to be in the top five props available to England. I don't think I've seen him listed amongst 'NSW probables' either. If he wants to play for England (and is then picked), he's not going to let anyone down.

4 or 5, if the Raiders go reasonably far into the Finals.

Plenty of competition in the back row, of course. Nsemba, KPP, Nicholson, Gannon and - even though he's not at his peak - Bateman has the experience. I might receive 'abuse' for even asking this but what are the chances that KPP will partner Herbie in the centres?

There are some reports of a suspected fracture and a Round 20-ish return.

Dodd has missed out on the 17. Mamouzelos has been replaced, at 9, by Havili. Sullivan is at 6. Humphreys is at 7. As others have previously stated, I think it's a tough call to miss out to Sullivan.

Yes, the scrutiny level is *incredibly* high. As many of you will know - TV-based pundits include former halves such as Joey Johns, Matty Johns, Fittler, Lockyer, Thurston, Cronk, Alexander, Anasta (I've probably missed a few too). Other technically-astute players, such as Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, are year-round pundits too. There are 'countless' rugby league TV programmes, podcasts, radio shows, newspaper and magazine articles. Pundits with more-than-enough ability to deeply analyse technical aspects and plenty of time to communicate their findings.

Yeah, a hiding to nothing sums it up nicely. I don't think Dodd was particularly impressive today but I can't think of him doing that much wrong either. It feels Iike some of the Aussies won't be satisfied unless Dodd looks like the second coming of Nathan Cleary.

Brandy was also negative towards Dodd after one of the pre-season games (I can't remember the exact match). I vaguely remember Alexander wanting 'to see more' from Dodd.

I'm almost certain that Schuster didn't play a single NRL match, for the remainder of the 2024 season, after his release. As for NSW Cup, I've not a clue.

For this week's 'extended squad' - I just noticed that Josh Schuster is in Souths' 'jersey 20'. I'd forgotten about him but I'm now wondering if he'll also be given a starting halves role before Dodd.

"Manchester Roosters": https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/politis-eyes-move-for-manchester-roosters-in-english-super-league-20250429-p5luzm.html

I didn't want to be correct but Gray is listed at 1 and Wighton at 6. Dodd has missed the 17.

Unfortunately, I completely agree. I actually couldn't believe how slow Dodd looked (especially as he played less than 20 minutes).

I honestly think he'll go with Wighton and Gray at 1 and 6 (or at '6 and 1')