TEAM LIST Preseason Challenge Week 1 v Canterbury

[Tucker]

Just that he's always been a 5/8 and clearly struggled under the high ball. I guess they want more depth at fullback

Yeah he is surely not the backup fullback?
I think he can play, but he’s not a number 1 on past effort.

 

[Jolls]

I’ve noted all the responses to my earlier mail, and my final word on it is that I get what everyone is saying, but I just see it a little bit differently.
I hope that all the players come through unscathed but I definitely wouldn’t pay a pineapple to watch a trial( that’s offensive) and absolutely would never ever consider betting on the game.
Tigers $1.77 favourite , ha, based on what? Keep you money in your pocket.
Just my opinions.

Unfortunately I won't be able to watch this game live as I will be at Jamala Wildlife Lodge (Christmas Present from SWMBO) so I will be avoiding the forum until after I watch the replay. But as for us being $1.77 favourites I can help you out here Hal.

I've put my Nostradamus pre-season hat on and have come up with the following prediction:

🏉 NRL TRIAL MATCH SHOWDOWN: WESTS TIGERS vs CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 🏉

This Sunday, the jungle will meet the dog park in an NRL trial match that promises more chaos than a backyard BBQ when someone drops a sausage. On one side, we have the Wests Tigers, prowling with silent menace, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. On the other, the Canterbury Bulldogs, strutting in with all the self-importance of a dog that just finished drinking from the toilet—indignant, pompous, and completely unaware of the feline fury about to unfold.

But wait—this isn’t just any Tiger. Oh no, this big cat has an accomplice. Perched on its shoulder, cackling like a footy fan seven schooners deep, is a cheeky Magpie. The feathered instigator squawks in the Tiger’s ear, hyping it up:

🦅 “Go on, mate, give that plate-licker a proper scare! He thinks he owns the joint!”

The Bulldog, still too busy admiring its own reflection in a water bowl, barely has time to react before BAM! The Tiger pounces—fur flying, paws swiping, and the Magpie dive-bombing from above, throwing in some aerial antics for good measure.

Prediction? The Tigers, supercharged by their winged hype-man, will maul their way to victory, leaving the Bulldogs whimpering like they just got caught chewing up the couch. 🐯💥🐶

What’s your call? Will the Bulldogs bite back, or will our Tiger and his rowdy feathered mate feast?

Hal, take the punt - I feel it in my waters! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Jolls]

On a serious note - the result matters not! What is important for us armchair coaches/critics is to get a look at the performace of the Latu/Galvin combination, to understand if the off season Matamua hype is what its cracked up to be, the potential of the Johannssen brothers, the performance of Sione F as an edge option (which I like) and the development of TDS. Him with the C beside his name is a great sign.

It is also the opportunity to see Skelton perform. I expect this could be his FG audition and will have Staines on the edge of his seat. I am also keen to get a look at Tony Sukkar, Jaxon Rahme, Lachlan Broederlow and Triston Hope to see how they are progressing. It should, touch wood, also give us an indication of how the simplified attacking and defensive plans that we have heard about look against a club that plays with pace and has a good defensive structure.

 

[cktiger]

I’ve noted all the responses to my earlier mail, and my final word on it is that I get what everyone is saying, but I just see it a little bit differently.
I hope that all the players come through unscathed but I definitely wouldn’t pay a pineapple to watch a trial( that’s offensive) and absolutely would never ever consider betting on the game.
Tigers $1.77 favourite , ha, based on what? Keep you money in your pocket.
Just my opinions.

I remember back in the old days they'd play trials in country areas against country teams and you could just rock along.
The country boys would usually put on the biff against the city slickers.
One game I saw it was on big time until big David 'Nana' Grant went on for the Tigers on a demolition mission.🤣

 

[innsaneink]

Not in week 1. How many years have we been watching trials, and some still have no concept of how clubs approach them.

Some time back most clubs would start about a month prior to the comp and play three trials with a week's break before round one.... The days before 7s, 9s pre season comps etc... Even then it was no names first week or two then the main players usually the final game

 

[innsaneink]

Very surprised if they don Magpie jumpers.

Pretty sure it was a hypothetical statement re: the standard of the opposition team

 

[Canberratiger]

Unfortunately I won't be able to watch this game live as I will be at Jamala Wildlife Lodge (Christmas Present from SWMBO) so I will be avoiding the forum until after I watch the replay. But as for us being $1.77 favourites I can help you out here Hal.

I've put my Nostradamus pre-season hat on and have come up with the following prediction:

🏉 NRL TRIAL MATCH SHOWDOWN: WESTS TIGERS vs CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 🏉

This Saturday, the jungle will meet the dog park in an NRL trial match that promises more chaos than a backyard BBQ when someone drops a sausage. On one side, we have the Wests Tigers, prowling with silent menace, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. On the other, the Canterbury Bulldogs, strutting in with all the self-importance of a dog that just finished drinking from the toilet—indignant, pompous, and completely unaware of the feline fury about to unfold.

But wait—this isn’t just any Tiger. Oh no, this big cat has an accomplice. Perched on its shoulder, cackling like a footy fan seven schooners deep, is a cheeky Magpie. The feathered instigator squawks in the Tiger’s ear, hyping it up:

🦅 “Go on, mate, give that plate-licker a proper scare! He thinks he owns the joint!”

The Bulldog, still too busy admiring its own reflection in a water bowl, barely has time to react before BAM! The Tiger pounces—fur flying, paws swiping, and the Magpie dive-bombing from above, throwing in some aerial antics for good measure.

Prediction? The Tigers, supercharged by their winged hype-man, will maul their way to victory, leaving the Bulldogs whimpering like they just got caught chewing up the couch. 🐯💥🐶

What’s your call? Will the Bulldogs bite back, or will our Tiger and his rowdy feathered mate feast?

Hal, take the punt - I feel it in my waters! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

Enjoy Jamala!
We went in 2015 and it was absolutely brilliant!

 

[Jolls]

Enjoy Jamala!
We went in 2015 and it was absolutely brilliant!

Don't have to travel much either - only 45 minutes or so from us in Murrumbateman. Are you North or South side?

 

[Canberratiger]

Don't have to travel much either - only 45 minutes or so from us in Murrumbateman. Are you North or South side?

South but have been all over.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Should we be reading anything into Klemmer playing? I suspect we don’t want him or his contract for 2026. He needs to play at least 14 games this season to trigger the 2026 option year in his contract.

I think with the arrival of Hunt and May Klem will be a stand out this season , he has some decent support now , last season he had Steph who dodged it all year , leaving Klemmer to do all the dirty work , Our pack will dominate a lot of teams this year , can’t wait

 

[Ron Brodrick's Spirit]

I think with the arrival of Hunt and May Klem will be a stand out this season , he has some decent support now , last season he had Steph who dodged it all year , leaving Klemmer to do all the dirty work , Our pack will dominate a lot of teams this year , can’t wait

You are in for such a disappointment.
Father time spares none of us and spaghetti arms reached his expiration date when he was still at Newcastle.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Some time back most clubs would start about a month prior to the comp and play three trials with a week's break before round one.... The days before 7s, 9s pre season comps etc... Even then it was no names first week or two then the main players usually the final game

It’s the same thing every year. First week of trials, the majority of clubs turn out mostly reserve graders, with a sprinkling of genuine first graders. I’m sure the last 20-25 mins, the majority of players on the field will be all these kids on the reserve list. Second week of trials is usually a better guide in regards to who will be there round 1.

 

[Yossarian]

Very surprised if they don Magpie jumpers.

Yeah I thought my original comment was pretty obvious. I’ll have another crack…

I think our reserve grade team, the Western Suburbs Magpies, would be competitive against the team the Bulldogs have named.

 

[Tucker]

The scores dont matter, unless you are sincerely trying to win the pre season comp.
What matters is how individuals play and whether the team displays improvement in effort areas that traditionally let them down.
For that reason, Ill be watching for how we play off the ball and in defence. Are we chasing kicks? Are we treating the refs with respect? Are we numbering up and putting ourselves in the path of attackers? Are we backing each other up? Whether the attack clicks or not is irrelevant as the opposition arent fielding a strong team either. The effort areas should still be concentrated upon though regardless of the opposition.

 

[Jolls]

The scores dont matter, unless you are sincerely trying to win the pre season comp.
What matters is how individuals play and whether the team displays improvement in effort areas that traditionally let them down.
For that reason, Ill be watching for how we play off the ball and in defence. Are we chasing kicks? Are we treating the refs with respect? Are we numbering up and putting ourselves in the path of attackers? Are we backing each other up? Whether the attack clicks or not is irrelevant as the opposition arent fielding a strong team either. The effort areas should still be concentrated upon though regardless of the opposition.

You can probably add to that list:

• How the lock plays in attack. Is he another prop or will Matamua and co be playing as a link?
• Is Mason pushing up in behind the ruck and looking to exploit that corridor?
• What lines are our edges running?
• How does the defence change in different parts of the field?
  • Do we wedge in when under pressure or work them towards the sideline?
  • If we do go up and in - how are we covering the seagulls?
  • How are we shutting the gate - do the middles slide or are we covering across?
  • What is our line speed like; is the A defender setting the pace?
  • How is the coordination between the A and B defender?

 

[Tucker]

Unfortunately I won't be able to watch this game live as I will be at Jamala Wildlife Lodge (Christmas Present from SWMBO) so I will be avoiding the forum until after I watch the replay.

Wow thats a generous pressie.

 

[Jolls]

Wow thats a generous pressie.

Not really, she is the one that wants to go (not that I am complaining). I'm really just the handbag for the trip! Payback for me buying her a pool table one year. 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Tucker]

You can probably add to that list:

• How the lock plays in attack. Is he another prop or will Matamua and co be playing as a link?

It will be interesting to see what style of play we chosen to go with from this position.

• Is Mason pushing up in behind the ruck and looking to exploit that corridor?
• What lines are our edges running?

I agree this is all important, but Id be more looking to that in game 2 when our probable side is playing an opposition of the same standard.

• How does the defence change in different parts of the field?
  • Do we wedge in when under pressure or work them towards the sideline?
  • If we do go up and in - how are we covering the seagulls?
  • How are we shutting the gate - do the middles slide or are we covering across?
  • What is our line speed like; is the A defender setting the pace?
  • How is the coordination between the A and B defender?

Yes, irrespective of the opposition, these processes and techniques will provide a decent sample into how we have prepared as a squad this pre season. They dont need to be perfect, but there needs to be evidence that this has been worked on.
We were told last off season we worked predominantly on defence and to be honest, I thought those responsible with preparing the defence last year should have lost their jobs.

 

[Jolls]

Yes, irrespective of the opposition, these processes and techniques will provide a decent sample into how we have prepared as a squad this pre season. They dont need to be perfect, but there needs to be evidence that this has been worked on.

100%; they ahve trained together all off season so the preparation and execution should be similar. If we are going to get anywhere the next man up philosophy is the way to go. As long as Benji and Co have developed effective game plans and structures we should have the talent to execute them in both grades and down through the juniors.

From our purchases I don't think we are trying to go the touch football route with 200 passes. We have a reasonable balance of skills but a lack of depth in a couple of key areas. If Sione F has been training as an edge all off season and can make the transition I will feel a little more comfortable.

 

[Tim Sheens]

The main thing to me, as alluded to above, is that we see the same structures and consistent 1% effort type plays shown pretty well across the whole squad in both this and next week's matches.