NRL 2026

Discussion in 'The Cesspit: Rugby League Discussion' started by Sultan Pepper, Oct 6, 2025.

  1. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    Penrith are clearly the best team. I picked a Penrith vs Easts GF before round 1 and I think that's what will happen assuming no major injuries to key players. And I dont think Easts will get near them but we'll see how they go this weekend.
     
  2. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    It's honestly disgusting how easily Penrith are demolishing their opponents. 92 for, 10 against after three rounds is ridiculous.
     
  3. Toolman TR Man

    Peaked early. But yeah, that's against three of the top teams too. Roosters completely lack stability and professionalism to be a proper contender, whether DCE can end up providing that remains to be seen. Won't really know until the finals because Robinson has an odd method of letting them be a retarded all out attacking team all season then switching to full on defence and grind for the finals. If they can combine the two during the finals then they'll be a threat.
     
  4. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    I was at the riff game Friday. Again seemed to get a number of calls like they did the week previous against the Sharks but they did it pretty easy, especially when they're really were off for the first 10~ minutes, kick chase a bit lazy and just all round off.

    Their left edge is still weak if teams would just simplify their attack and get at Mclean/Talagi.

    I think teams like the Roosters will catch up through the year as their combinations get a bit more time together. Penriths stability is a huge plus in these earlier rounds.
     
  5. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Really hope Wests can go on a bit of a run. I've been saying for years Douiehi is a half, I actually hoped Penrith would've grabbed him when they lost Luai. Glad to see him putting it together.
     
  6. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    I've seen enough. It's literally Penrith vs the football gods of injury. That's the only way they're not winning it this year. 3 top 8 sides cant get within 20 of them. Melbourne haven't been terrible and it's like boys vs men out there.
     
  7. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    Surely they can't keep this up all year... They've been unreal.
     
  8. Toolman TR Man

    The Dogs' defence might trouble them a bit, will probably end up similar to the Sharks game though.
     
    jazman84 likes this.
  9. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    Speaking of defence. Broncos players aren't putting up the best advertisement for Ben Teo. Since he left they've looked like a different side without the ball.
     
  10. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    I've been to the Roosters and Storm game this year. I can't quite put my finger on why that Penrith left side is so potent. Talagi really hasn't been that good, I think its been reflected in the supercoach stuff with his low scoring, but he kind of jams them up a bit, quick on his feet but his ball playing decision making just aren't quite there, which is scary to think of.

    I think a lot of it is coming from just how good Mclean is positionally in attack, there's not flashy step or anything, just really clever lines, then Jenkins is playing with supreme confidence, on the back of a good roll on through the middle. Cleary seems to be taking the piss a bit and doing whatever he wants as well.

    I would love to see Milky Jenkins score 35 tries or something. What a character to be the greatest ever tries in a season.

    I've always thought Melbourne have a lot of reserve graders in their sides, but a number of them looked like kids out there, totally outclassed. Really, really impressive, particularly looking at a Penrith side that itself has a lot of guys that would really be bits and piece players at other clubs.
     
  11. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    Papalii is killing it too.

    A big factors is that aren't making errors. Not much of what they do seems particularly flashy. It's not like watching 05 Tigers or 2012 Dogs. Ball movement is just so quick once they know there is space, and they arent dropping it.
     
  12. Toolman TR Man

    It's just a good form run imo. Throwing it around like that is not the type of style you can pull off consistently, Broncos did it better than anyone for spurts last season and won the comp with it but they're extremely inconsistent. Penrith will fall back to grinding out wins I reckon. You can see the defensive teams of last year have focused more on developing their attack while the others have focused on defence.. except for the Dolphins, who knows wtf they're doing defensive wise, not much obviously.
     
  13. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Good looking top 4
     
  14. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    Dogs looking slick tonight.
     
  15. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Think its just running at Talagi. I keep saying their left is shit but no one properly goes there. Feel like Preston short balls are inexcusable though, its 90% of their attack.

    Total disrespectful performance by Cleary and Panthers though, so many dumb last tackle options, weird mid field grubbers etc.
     
  16. Magic AJ Parker

    Unless you're an elite edge defender behind a forward pack who isn't getting rolled you're going to be found out multiple times per game going off the start of this season.

    A quick play the ball these days is so obscenely quick that it pretty much mimics what used to be a play the ball post a clean linebreak. Defensive sides just don't have time to count numbers so edges are getting picked apart or teams are overcompensating out of panic and leaving gaps through the middle.
     
    jazman84 likes this.
  17. Flack SA Flack

    Indeed, maybe I should have said top 4....
     
  18. Toolman TR Man

    It won't last
     
  19. Toolman TR Man

    Who'd have thought Simi Sasagi would become one of the best centres in the game
     
  20. Toolman TR Man

    Wtf has happened to Melbourne?
     

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