NRL 2025 Spines

Not even close to the Storm spine. Outside of them, all the quality spines have at best 3 out 4 guns. I'd have Broncos next and Manly, Panthers, cowboys, roosters (if they weren't injured) all above us. As much as our spine has the potential to leap frog many of those I currently rate as better they are yet to prove it and aren't currently any better than most of the competition, a couple of obviously weak spines aside.
Nowadays most teams (not all) structure their attack so the 13 should be considered a part of the spine as well. This is where, in my opinion, we are still well behind. We have neither the ball playing at 13 to get our forwards 1 on 1 into contact nor the dominant forwards to play a power game with a work horse 13 cleaning up thr ruck in defence.
Agree Melbourne’s is clearly the best.
Brisbane’s very strong.

Panthers is solid, like Roosters - as you say if fit.

Our 9 and 7 are top tier. Our 6 is the brightest prospect in the league.
If Bula hits his stride in 2025 then IMO we have a top three spine.
 
A more accurate statement would've been 'the spine with the highest ceiling in the comp'.

Even then, jury is out.

Easily top half now.

Potentially Top 3 if the growth continues.
 
Agree Melbourne’s is clearly the best.
Brisbane’s very strong.

Panthers is solid, like Roosters - as you say if fit.

Our 9 and 7 are top tier. Our 6 is the brightest prospect in the league.
If Bula hits his stride in 2025 then IMO we have a top three spine.
Personally I don't think Bula has the ceiling to ever be a proper elite fullback. I think he could be a very good player but not so good that he'd be for example Origin contention. I don't see Galvin or Bula making the necessary improvements for the spine to be top 3 in 25. Not to say they can't get there one day, I just think 25 is too soon.

Even though Galvin is one of the brightest prospects, as you say, but it is yet to be seen if he has been/will be worked out, will maintain enough speed/agility to remain a 6 yet alone develop into a top ranked one or even if he will stay at the club long term if he does develop well.
 
15 minutes to go with the game in the balance, he broke the line on a nothing play on the game’s biggest stage. i really don’t know what else you want from him.

most of the questions you’re asking about his game managing ability were answered this year when he wore the 7. his long kicking game was excellent, while his short kicking game is elite. 16 forced dropouts in 24 games is already decent, but it’ll go up next year when he gets more touches.

I see a halfback that is only going to flourish with even more responsibility. he won’t go missing.
He tends to give the responsibility to others in clutch situations. The origin play was different, it was very ad-lib, not planned and something out of nothing. When the games are locked up at 10-10 with 5 minutes left is he going to try and win the game or will he leave it to someone else? This is where he is unproven. Isaiya Katoa had this issue vs Penrith earlier in the year, but dispelled any doubts when he won Tonga the game vs NZ. I will look back to this next year to see if I'm right, not getting ahead of myself
 
Seems about right. Though, I’d rate our spine above Penrith. Cleary probably edges Luai (Not by a lot), and I’d put Edwards ahead of Bula, but our 6 and 9 are miles better than theirs. Talagi is good, but is an unproven 6 at NRL level.
Miles better?
Kenny is turning into a really reliable workaholic 9. Api is on the decline
The 6’s are the question mark for mine. Both good but severely inexperienced and erratic.
Id bet on the Penrith spine at least for the beginning of 25.
 

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