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THE RED ROOSTER
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THE RED ROOSTER

THE RED ROOSTER

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The NRL trial games commence wth a double header at Kogarah on SKY

Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys

Pretty much a reserve grade squad of 28 for the Dogs up against a Cows side with a reasonable number of first graders getting a hit out. Paul Wellens is in charge of the leaky NQ defence and by all accounts players have been buying into the new system. Coach Todd Payten needs a good start to the season as most bookies favourite for the axe. However, given the squad the Dogs are putting out I am not sure how much you can read into the outcome.

St George-Illawarra v Newcastle Knights

Much more of a match up with both sides including a reasonable number of first graders. The focus will be on the halves with Lyhken King-Tongia playing for SGI. How he goes may inform what may become a season long halves debate at the Dragons with coaches son Kyle Flanagan apparently to be paired with Daniel Atkinson who was more a utility player at Cronulla rather than the ellite half-back SGI need. For the Knights, Sandon Smith makes his debut for the Knights having been a casualty of DCE's arrival at the Roosters, He plays for a side under a new coach in Juston Holbrook and a side that is far better than the wooden spoon winners of 2025.

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What I don’t like here is sitting here with a bloke like you questioning my credibility. I misled no one – mind your words, son

Phil Gould responding to criticism -  I think I might try this out at work with any whippersnapper questioning my judgement.....
 
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You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both


Futtocks

Futtocks

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Some young Bulldogs backs getting a run-out and showing plenty of attacking flair.

There was a try for French u19 player Louis Grossemy in his first team début.

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Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Douglas

Douglas

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Only saw the highlights on YouTube but the Cowboys fullback scored a classy try and has big wraps on him as the Aussies would say.

Douglas

Douglas

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Posted

Always good to see the next batch of up and coming NRL rookies in the trial games. 

Good to see some seasoned queensland&NSW cup players get a runout and shot of potentially securing a NRL contract. 

THE RED ROOSTER

THE RED ROOSTER

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I only watched the second half of the Dogs v Cows, this is one of the games where then losing side gets more out of it than the winner as once NQ took off their starters the Dogs were making big yards ioff their exit sets. The Cows just about managed to cling on. To me the performance of the pups in the second half proved strength in depth wheras the calves for NQ proved a lack of depth in the squad.

In the second game, you probably saw one of the Dragons starting halves come 2028 in Kade Reed especially when he hunted down Sandon Smith on a break. Smith having a curates egg of a game with his missed conversions.

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What I don’t like here is sitting here with a bloke like you questioning my credibility. I misled no one – mind your words, son

Phil Gould responding to criticism -  I think I might try this out at work with any whippersnapper questioning my judgement.....
 
image.png.5fe5424fdf31c5004e2aad945309f68e.png

You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both

THE RED ROOSTER

THE RED ROOSTER

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Next Round starting Thursday

The Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans (Thu)

Strong looking Dolphins line up - No Herbie Farnworth but the return of Thomas Flegler. No Tino for the Titans but Lachlan Ilias starts trying to rekindle his career on the Gold Coast.

Canberra Raiders v Melbpourne Storm (Fri)

Two reserve grade line ups battle it out at Queanbeyan 

North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers (Fri)

The Cows name a strong line up for the match up in Mackay against the Panther Cubs in Mackay. Reed Mahomey making is debut for North Queensland.

New Zealand Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles (Sat)

The Wahs name a string line up for this clash in Napier with Geronimo Doyle (a name you will not forget easily) starting at Full back. Silvertails pretty much fielding a promising reserve grade XIII.

West Tifers v Sydney Roosters (Sat)

Wests have elected to start their reserve grade to face a Roosters side with Rex Bassingthwaighte (another unforgettable name) as the starting full back, but most attention will be on the half-back pairing of Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell, the junior reportedly the best half-back at the club, in a strong Roosters line up.

Newcastle Knights v Canterbury Bulldogs (Sat)

Both sides putting out their first grade XIII in theier last hot out before Vegas. the result in this game might be an indicator of how each sides season may go.

St George-Ilawarra v South Sydney (Sat)

SGI put out their first choice XIII in their last hit out before Vegas, with last week's standout Kade Reed getting a place on the bench. Souths name a reserve grade side for this charity shield clash with Matt Dufty making his Rabbitohs debut at fullback

Cronulla Sharks v Paramatta Eels (Sun)

Played at Henson Park home of the Newtown Jets, Cronulla start a rookie halves pairing with a strong forward pack. Paramatta Eels also name a strong side with all eyes on the talenred Jonah Pezet and how he goes in the halves paired with Joash Papalii.

 

Quote

What I don’t like here is sitting here with a bloke like you questioning my credibility. I misled no one – mind your words, son

Phil Gould responding to criticism -  I think I might try this out at work with any whippersnapper questioning my judgement.....
 
image.png.5fe5424fdf31c5004e2aad945309f68e.png

You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 10/02/2026 at 19:23, THE RED ROOSTER said:

The Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans (Thu)

Strong looking Dolphins line up - No Herbie Farnworth but the return of Thomas Flegler. No Tino for the Titans but Lachlan Ilias starts trying to rekindle his career on the Gold Coast.

Morgan Knowles gets one of those cuts that looks like a scene from a horror movie.

Currently DOL 0:10 GLD after 18 minutes.

Edited by Futtocks

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

Still 0:10 at HT, as the Dolphins rallied in defence but were still error-prone in attack.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

Two quickfire tries in the second half and the Dolphins are up 12:10. Conditions very wet and humid.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Graham said:

Thomas Flegler returned after injury and he came through it okay.

That was a relief to see.

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Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

THE RED ROOSTER

THE RED ROOSTER

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Flegler did indeed return in the second half biut Gold Coast get more out out ofthis than the Dolphins Impressive defence in the first half. Then swhen going 12-10 down and with 12 minutes to go back comdes Jaylen DeGroot and the Titans score tswo late tries to seal the deal. 
Fair enough to say it's a trial game with no Herbie or Hammer for the Fins. But you play what's in front of you and its a good start for Josh Hannay with some not exactly veiled criticism from the players about the contrast in styles between Hannay and Des Haesler coming out in Lachlan Ilias post match interview.

Quote

What I don’t like here is sitting here with a bloke like you questioning my credibility. I misled no one – mind your words, son

Phil Gould responding to criticism -  I think I might try this out at work with any whippersnapper questioning my judgement.....
 
image.png.5fe5424fdf31c5004e2aad945309f68e.png

You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

I'll be watching today's earlier game on catch-up, but teh Cowboys are 28:0 up against the Penthers after just 30 minutes!

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

THE RED ROOSTER

THE RED ROOSTER

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The earlier game went Canberra's way 32-6 after being 10-0 up at the half. Once Canberra began to compete their sets the established dominance over a Storm side that had chances but made poor decisions. Defensively the Storm reseve graders let in a few soft tries which cannot have imprerssed Craig Bellam . Canberra brought on Seb Kris for the second half to underline their advantage. The Storm pulling on back in the last 10 minutes to avoid being nilled.

Ricky's roving raiders roll on and good to see the players inteacting with the youngsters at Seifert over post game.

This North Queensland v Penrith Pantthers game is an embaraasing mismatch 44-0 to the Cows at the half. In truth no more than an opposed training session and the Mackay Cutters of the QRLmight have proved a sterner test.

If your wondering why the Vegas teams are not playing each other. this is down to the Charity Shield where St George-Illawarra;s first grade takes on Souths reserve grade. Disappointed for the people of Mackay who deserved the chance to watch a competitive trial game. Not sure either NQ or the Penny Panthers get anything out of this game at all, and I suspect Paul Wellens is in there urging the Cows not to concede any points to the Panther cubs which is about as much as you can take from the game.

Quote

What I don’t like here is sitting here with a bloke like you questioning my credibility. I misled no one – mind your words, son

Phil Gould responding to criticism -  I think I might try this out at work with any whippersnapper questioning my judgement.....
 
image.png.5fe5424fdf31c5004e2aad945309f68e.png

You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

NQL 66:24 PEN at FT.

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Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

Dufty starting at FB for the Bunnies.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

Dufty starting at FB for the Bunnies.

He had a good game. Obviously behind Jye Gray and (depending of Bennett's view of his best position) Latrell Mitchell.

But he's set out his stall if there's a need for a FB at some point.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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