The 2024 NRL Trials Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

12-6 to the Sharkies but to be honest, I would be more optimistic if I was a Dogs fan after this.

The problem for Canterbury is this the " big dogs" really are a team that has never played together before. By contrast the pups in the reserve grade have and are used to each other and it showed last week with young Sexton the pick of the litter. IMO the Doggies will be a threat in the second half of the NRL season.

They had enough chances in both halves with a lot of possession before some Hutchinson howlers blew some chances.

Sharkies ironclad defensive performance is a positive but the concern is the lack of a cutting edge. The Dogs suffered Taffe trauma in the early second half coughing up the ball yet Cronulla failed to convert good field possession into points. Winning the game in the last 7 minutes courtesy of a misplaced pass from the Doggies.

Nicho Hynes might be the difference maker but that's a big ask for a side that seems not to have improved since last season.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Recap of the rest

Melbourne v Newcastle

Melbourne looked the business gainst the Knights, Interesting comment from Kalyn Ponga, that the Knights have problems if the concede to big an an early lead.

New Zealand Warriors v The Dolphins

A high scoring game but the Dolphins were off the pace in this game and the scoreline flattered them. Warriors march on but still tend to clock offf during the game letting their opponents back in.

Manly v Brisbane

Baby Broncos lived up to their big Wrap by putting 40 plus on the silvertails having spotted them a 10 point lead

St George v West Tigers

SGI looking good, obviously Shane Flanagan's call to aim up in the pre-season has been received and understood. SGI potentially fringe top 8 but Wests seem locked in a love affaiur with the spoon.

Canberra v North Queensland

It was  first half for Ricky enterainers as Canberra took the game to NQ but a wholly different swtory in the second half as the faders were put away by a NQ side that had a lot of posession and in truth should have had a more emphatic scoreline.

Gold Coast v Paramatta

Another emphatic win this time for Paramatta who in essence won the game in the first half and spent the second playing down to the leveln of the opposition. Des has inherited a Gold Coast side that does not compete for the full 80 minutes from Justin Holbrook according to the FOX commentary.

[DavidM]

Tremendous win for the Dragons against the mighty Tigers , built on sheer physicality , led by the tremendous Jaydn Su’a .