TEAM LIST Preseason Challenge Week 1 v Canterbury

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No mate, were in the lodge with the shark tank and a view of the lemurs. Price was up there but includes food and drinks plus a guided tour. Should ba a great experience. I'll let you know how it goes and if I think it was worth it. Cheers
The zoo itself is pretty damn good. Always wanted to do the lodge thing there. I was talking to someone the other day who did it and they were raving about the whole experience.
 
Agree with others re Sione Fainu and Matamua. They are the two big areas of interest for me.

Sione because if he can impress on an edge you all of a sudden have a guy who can come off the bench and play anywhere in the pack. Thought the signs were there last year for him to kick on.

Matamua because its a make or break year for him. I want to see him fitter, faster and stronger. Could play a Yeo role for us if he gets it right.
 
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! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

Ahhh…… Rumpole….loved that show 😆
 
The zoo itself is pretty damn good. Always wanted to do the lodge thing there. I was talking to someone the other day who did it and they were raving about the whole experience.
I did it in 2015.
We got the Cheetah room. Very expensive but it was incredible.
2 behind-the-scenes tours (got to pat the rhinos before they were on show to the public and fed heaps of the animals including the tigers)
Fed extremely well. The restaurant was superb and pre-drinks watching them feed the hyenas.
Many think that Canberra is boring, but for families it is brilliant. The zoo is smallish but a great day out. We prefer it over Dubbo or Taronga any day.
 
People keep saying that Latu deserves a spot in our top 17.
I dont think hes earned it yet and him turning up a bit dumpy to pre season training is not a good look.
I have no doubt he will earn a spot, but for mine, he is a definite KOE Cup starter for round 1 despite what happens in the trials..bar injury.
 
I did it in 2015.
We got the Cheetah room. Very expensive but it was incredible.
2 behind-the-scenes tours (got to pat the rhinos before they were on show to the public and fed heaps of the animals including the tigers)
Fed extremely well. The restaurant was superb and pre-drinks watching them feed the hyenas.
Many think that Canberra is boring, but for families it is brilliant. The zoo is smallish but a great day out. We prefer it over Dubbo or Taronga any day.
I stayed at Jamala in June 22 and was fortunate to get the Tigers room. It was sensational and to know you had a glass panel between you and this majestic big cat was unreal. My wife and I sat there for a few hours just watching him roar and it was sensational.

Dinner was exceptional with two Lions in the restaurant ( mostly asleep as they got feed beforehand) whilst you ate dinner and the rooms were nice. Canberra in June is cold so the animals tended to stay close to the glass as they were heated floors which was nice.
It is expensive, however you would not be doing it every day and with the guided tour and patting a Rhino and feeding a Giraffe it was a bucket list type of event.
 

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People keep saying that Latu deserves a spot in our top 17.
I dont think hes earned it yet and him turning up a bit dumpy to pre season training is not a good look.
I have no doubt he will earn a spot, but for mine, he is a definite KOE Cup starter for round 1 despite what happens in the trials..bar injury.
Maybe he needed the kick in the pants as he has stepped up since being sanctioned and is looking fitter than last year. I agree he may jag a spot on the bench round 1 with Api out, however agree he will be better for playing 80 minutes in KOE than 20-30 off the bench in FG.
 
I stayed at Jamala in June 22 and was fortunate to get the Tigers room. It was sensational and to know you had a glass panel between you and this majestic big cat was unreal. My wife and I sat there for a few hours just watching him roar and it was sensational.

Dinner was exceptional with two Lions in the restaurant ( mostly asleep as they got feed beforehand) whilst you ate dinner and the rooms were nice. Canberra in June is cold so the animals tended to stay close to the glass as they were heated floors which was nice.
It is expensive, however you would not be doing it every day and with the guided tour and patting a Rhino and feeding a Giraffe it was a bucket list type of event.
Big deal.
I live every day with only a panel of glass between me and Magpies.
 
People keep saying that Latu deserves a spot in our top 17.
I dont think hes earned it yet and him turning up a bit dumpy to pre season training is not a good look.
I have no doubt he will earn a spot, but for mine, he is a definite KOE Cup starter for round 1 despite what happens in the trials..bar injury.

I hear what your saying. For me it isn't as set in stone as you. He reportedly is training very well and if he plays well in the trials then he has earned a spot IMO when you consider how talented he is.

Let's see how the next 2 weeks go.
 
I’d like to see a rough week to week rotation of tallyn and latu in the 14. This gives them the opportunity to get a full game in Reggies one week while getting first grade exposure the next. It also gives Api a chance to play shorter minutes every other week. Doesn’t have to be like clockwork though, selection can vary depending on game plan, opponent, fitness and form.
 
I’d like to see a rough week to week rotation of tallyn and latu in the 14. This gives them the opportunity to get a full game in Reggies one week while getting first grade exposure the next. It also gives Api a chance to play shorter minutes every other week. Doesn’t have to be like clockwork though, selection can vary depending on game plan, opponent, fitness and form.
After a few games one will probably stand out so much that you can't leave him out of the side if this happens so be it.
 
I did it in 2015.
We got the Cheetah room. Very expensive but it was incredible.
2 behind-the-scenes tours (got to pat the rhinos before they were on show to the public and fed heaps of the animals including the tigers)
Fed extremely well. The restaurant was superb and pre-drinks watching them feed the hyenas.
Many think that Canberra is boring, but for families it is brilliant. The zoo is smallish but a great day out. We prefer it over Dubbo or Taronga any day.
Canberra is actually a great city to visit. Stacks to do. I think we're drawn away down there again this year so a good excuse to visit.
 
Any player vying for centre or backrower starting roles should be jumping out of their skins as opportunity to cement an NRL position is beckonning. Our incumbants have either left the club or are injured. Sam Fainu raised a hand last year...lets hope he kicks on. The other three positions are still fully open.
Really keen to see how Sione goes on an edge. He seemed quite tough to handle on the middle and could be a real asset there.

I thought he showed a lot last year when he had opportunities.
 
I sleep with a wild Weimaraner IN MY BEDROOM!
RBS, love Weimaraner breed, used to breed this type of dog and on and off had several at the same time. lovely nature, but very clingy. The last dog i had was a blue Grate Dane, same colour as the Weimaraner but somewhat larger (74Kg) A big boy indeed. Sadly had to let him go as he developed bone cancer of the rear leg, was the saddest day of my life making that decision.
The Great Dane was a gentle giant and had a chill out attitude, anyway, hugs to your Weimaraner.
 
Excited to see the Fainu brothers, Skelton and TDS play. Really hope Galvin avoids second year syndrome.

I think Matamua will have a breakout year. From all reports he’s been great in training. He’s still incredibly young for a middle forward so he’s maturing and it’s his fourth year in first grade so he really was thrown in before he was ready.

Hoping he can turn into our long term lock and step up to play regular first grade this year.
 
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