NRL 2025 Spines

[happy_tiger]

Our spine is good ....but if we don't pick up another back rower and prop it won't matter if we had Slater Lewis Sterling and Smith in our spine .....the forwards worse case scenario need to at least break even every week .....at the moment based on current squad we won't match up

 

[upthetigers]

At penrith...

I've been told (so it must be true) Luai was better then Cleary in the juniors. Talent only takes you so far, but he has those other attributes.

 

[upthetigers]

Our spine is good ....but if we don't pick up another back rower and prop it won't matter if we had Slater Lewis Sterling and Smith in our spine .....the forwards worse case scenario need to at least break even every week .....at the moment based on current squad we won't match up

I agree with you completely, most sides aren't balanced and have a weakness though, no?

 

[happy_tiger]

I agree with you completely, most sides aren't balanced and have a weakness though, no?

Problem is our pack is probably bottom 3 and our backs bottom 4 or 5 ......we are still heavily unbalanced ......and if you add our lack of depth ......it is still a worry

 

[rugbygoated]

I've been told (so it must be true) Luai was better then Cleary in the juniors. Talent only takes you so far, but he has those other attributes.

Yet to be seen

 

[hank37w]

It is arguably as good as we have ever had but that means sfa if they don't work together

Agree 100%.

Looks like potentially being a great spine but can't expect it to be on fire from round one especially when Api won't even be playing due to suspension.

Could very well take a while for things to actually gel and start coming together under actual match conditions and not just "training the house down" on the training paddock.

We're all sick of hearing about "potential" and what is going to "potentially happen," lets hope that this time it actually eventuates.

 

[jrtiger]

this is where the pressure will be on luai. Will he leave it to galvin to win the close games or will he be the million dollar player? Yet to see him do it. Crichton won the semi final vs England. Nathan has done it for penrith countless times. Dragons with Ben Hunt was a failure. Let this not be the same

he literally split Origin 3 open and created the try for Bradman Best which turned the game. next question.

 

[boonboon]

Problem is our pack is probably bottom 3 and our backs bottom 4 or 5 ......we are still heavily unbalanced ......and if you add our lack of depth ......it is still a worry

Storm often look similar in fact our pack is imo better then them and backline similar

 

[happy_tiger]

Storm often look similar in fact our pack is imo better then them and backline similar

Unfortunately Bellyache isn't our coach

 

[rugbygoated]

he literally split Origin 3 open and created the try for Bradman Best which turned the game. next question.

Was it in the dying minutes though? It was one of those something out of nothing plays, but when he is forced to step up and organise a victory, can he do it? He has the individual talent as a 5/8 to come up with plays like that in origin, but what about game managing tight games? 5th tackle options, kicking for touch, 40/20s, field goals, forced dropouts, etc. So much that comes with being a halfback that requires a big step up, even moreso in tight games where he can't hide

 

[ancient_magpie]

Agree 100%.

Looks like potentially being a great spine but can't expect it to be on fire from round one especially when Api won't even be playing due to suspension.

Could very well take a while for things to actually gel and start coming together under actual match conditions and not just "training the house down" on the training paddock.

We're all sick of hearing about "potential" and what is going to "potentially happen," lets hope that this time it actually eventuates.

That's why we need to use both trials to get the spine combinations working and not trial a 100 juniors.Slight exaggeration but you get my meaning.

 

[tigers.]

Personally I think Melbourne have the best spine in the NRL and it's not even close. 1. Paps 6. Munster 7. Hughes and 9. Grant . Throw in Wishart and Faalogo and Pezet

 

[tiger_one]

I think Richo was misquoted.
Ours is the best spine since 2006. 😉

 

[tigers.]

I think Richo was misquoted.
Ours is the best spine since 2006. 😉

Let's hope so . It is a strong spine. If bula and Galvin can make a big jump next year in their development watch out it's going to be scary what we can do.

 

[Tucker]

Personally I think Melbourne have the best spine in the NRL and it's not even close. 1. Paps 6. Munster 7. Hughes and 9. Grant . Throw in Wishart and Faalogo and Pezet

Yes. Proven many times over.

 

[gregjm87]

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.

 

[Tucker]

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.

Yep, spot on.

 

[jrtiger]

Was it in the dying minutes though? It was one of those something out of nothing plays, but when he is forced to step up and organise a victory, can he do it? He has the individual talent as a 5/8 to come up with plays like that in origin, but what about game managing tight games? 5th tackle options, kicking for touch, 40/20s, field goals, forced dropouts, etc. So much that comes with being a halfback that requires a big step up, even moreso in tight games where he can't hide

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.

 

[Flippedy]

On paper, one of the best. As long as they all play to their potential.

 

[Flippedy]

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.

Yep after this season just past, I can’t believe people would still be questioning his ability to control a game. Cleary was gone for long periods, Luai stepped into the 7 jersey and Penrith didn’t miss a beat.