Before diving in, it's important to acknowledge where we currently sit on the ladder. We must acknowledge as fans that our position is far from ideal nor acceptable, however, we must also consider the challenges we've faced throughout the early part of the season:
The extended absence of Mitchell Moses, both at the beginning of the season and more recently
Mid-to-long term foot injuries to key players Zac Lomax and Bailey Simonsson
The off-field distraction and uncertainty surrounding Dylan Brown’s contract situation
A wave of suspensions, including two for Kelma Tuilagi, along with bans for Ryley Smith and Josh Addo-Carr
The inexperience of a rookie head coach still finding his feet at NRL level
The departure of several experienced and influential players — including Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Maika Sivo, and Joe Ofahengaue
A very raw and inexperienced squad — at the start of the season, players like Iongi, "Kit Kat", Sam Tuivaiti, Ryley Smith, and Joash Papalii had fewer than 10 first-grade games combined. And with inexperience inevitably come error
Positives:
Signings:
Our recruitment for the season has undoubtedly been one of the brighter aspects. With signings including; Jack Williams, Iongi, Kit Kat, Lomax, JAC, Dylan Walker, Dean Hawkins, Joash & Jordan Samrani. Across the board, each player has at the very least met expectations, while many have exceeded expectations. Jack Williams, Iongi, and Kit Kat have stood out with consistently strong performances. There was initial scepticism — myself included — around the signings of Josh Addo-Carr and Dylan Walker. However, both have proven to be excellent additions. Addo-Carr has added a new dimension to our edge attack, offering a different style to what we were accustomed to with Maika Sivo. Meanwhile, Walker has been exceptional off the bench, regularly shifting momentum with his impact and versatility. Importantly, there hasn’t been a signing I’d categorise as a “miss.” Even those brought in primarily for development or Cup-level depth — such as Hawkins, Joash, Samrani, and Volkman — have shown encouraging signs when given the opportunity at NRL level.
Style of Football:
Gone are the days of Parramatta relying mainly on our left edge to generate points. While the Gutherson sweep play to Maika Sivo was highly effective, over time it became predictable and overused. This season, however, we’ve shown far more variety and creativity in our attacking structures. We’re now threatening across the park — not just down one channel. Through the middle, we’ve seen promising link-up play, often sparked by a Dylan Walker burst or a smart tip-on from Junior Paulo. On the right edge, we’ve found success through short balls to Kelma Tuilagi/Jack Williams or well-placed last-tackle kicks targeting Zac Lomax. Meanwhile, the left side continues to fire, with Isaiah Iongi and Josh Addo-Carr combining dangerously. Overall, our attack has evolved into a far more balanced and unpredictable system, capable of striking from multiple areas of the field.
Player Development:
A key example of our Player Development this season is Sean Russell. I’ll be the first to admit that over the past two years, I wasn’t a fan — whether he was on the wing or in the centres, I often felt he offered little in either attack or defence. But credit where it’s due: this year, Russell has taken a clear step forward. While he’s still not among the elite centres in the game, he’s become far more reliable defensively and noticeably stronger in attack.
Luca Moretti is another standout. He showed glimpses of promise in previous seasons, but before his injury this year, he was truly beginning to deliver on that potential with consistent, tough performances through the middle.
The emergence of young players like Ryley Smith, Sam Tuivaiti, and Joash Papalii has also been a welcome boost. All three have shown encouraging signs in their early NRL outings and bring much-needed energy to the squad.
We’ve also seen a resurgence in Junior Paulo’s form — back to playing with real intent — and continued strong contributions from players like Bailey Simonsson when fit.
Player Rention:
When the decision was made to release Clint Gutherson to the Dragons, it was met with heavy criticism. Many viewed Gutherson as the “heart” of the team — a leader whose effort and presence were invaluable. However, coach Jason Ryles saw things differently and placed his trust in Isaiah Iongi at fullback. So far, that call has paid off. Iongi has shown immense potential and looks every bit a future star. While Gutherson, as we saw on Saturday, can still be effective, it’s clear he’s beginning to slow down. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year is his last season at fullback.
Other key departures include Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who has struggled for form and impact this season, and Maika Sivo, who had become a shadow of his former self. Joe Ofahengaue was averaging just 65 run metres per game — a significant drop-off for a middle forward. Shaun Lane, ruled out indefinitely, had unfortunately not returned to his best football over the past two to three years.
Additionally, players like Wiremu Greig and Ryan Matterson have reportedly been encouraged or granted permission to explore other opportunities — a move many fans would agree is overdue given their limited impact in recent seasons.
Negatives:
Jmaine Hopgood & Will Penisini:
Throughout the Brad Arthur era, J’maine Hopgood was one of our most consistent performers — regularly punching out over 60 minutes with minimal errors and a strong defensive work rate. However, this season, he’s looked a shadow of that player. His minutes have been reduced, and he's become more prone to handling errors and giving away unnecessary penalties. That said, there’s no doubt the talent is still there — which is likely why Billy Slater has kept faith in him, selecting him in Queensland’s squad for Game 3. If Hopgood can rediscover his best form, it would go a long way toward stabilising and strengthening our forward pack.
As for Will Penisini, I was anticipating a breakout year. With two of the game’s most powerful wingers outside him, I expected a significant boost in both his attacking output and defensive stability. So far, though, that lift hasn’t materialised. There's still time, but he’ll need to find another gear in the back half of the season to reach the level many were expecting.
Lapses:
While the team is still relatively inexperienced, that can’t fully excuse some of the lapses we've seen in both attack and defence this season. The most recent examples — our abysmal first half against the Dragons and Chris Randall’s try last week — highlight just how costly these moments can be. Randall’s effort, in particular, was one of the softest tries you’ll see a back-rower score at this level.
These kinds of breakdowns can be momentum-killers and swing games dramatically. While there has been some improvement in addressing them, there’s still a long way to go before we become a consistently disciplined and resilient side.
Replies
Tad, could not resist your commentary on Climate Change.....please understand and accept that nothing in this country can we do that will improve the plight of the homelessness and mental anguish as a direct result of climate change itself. That said what ever handouts and help that can be provided is another matter.
MY point and you probably appreciate it is that any actions we take in trying to prevent climate change is like pissing into the wind (no pun).
Personally I would much prefer to bring down energy prices in sync with renewables. Not to mention the sync with Nuclear Power as well....but commonsense seems to have no role in management of us having the most expensive power costs in the world.
It seems our splendid isolation works for us on non exertion issues but never on practical ones.
Poppa I think climate change will heavily impact on those who are around 30 now more so than us. Many are simply following the Pied Piper who is leading us over a cliff. Maybe we should accept some pain now in someway to limit the long term pain. Nuclear is a big issue. Thinking of Putins and other sick Ego power crazy people who are now preparing for safe havens for themselves behind the scenes before someone impatiently pushes the first button . Pakistan and India may be next in the conflict Zone as well.
The horse didn't bolt.Poppa..it walked out of the stable as we all watched and wondered if it would really go. It did.
We can still make ourselves useful. How about "high ground" Aust passports/citizenship for threatened Pacific Ilanders(Kiribati,Tuvalu etc) as their homes disappear...A guaranteed path to safety when it gets desperate (it WILL get desperate)
We can't save the world, but we can do some good in our big blue backyard for the Brown Brothers
Good luck with that, Randy.
That'll go down well with conservatives, who'd love opening the borders to our desperate Brown Brothers & giving em a hug. Everything'll be okay?
You'd probably have more luck with the Kiwis. They tend to be more socially progressive & left-leaning.
You are right.....We Suck
I, personally need to find ways to keep my compassion for my fellow man alive.
Nobody deserves Randy in sociopath mode
Randy,
Suzuki sings the story of The Scorpion and The Frog.
It's mixed in with a bit of Star Wars, Don't Look Up and Dogman.
PS: I'm afraid, there is the potential for sociopathy or a lack of empathy — the monster within — in all of us in different ways and different circumstances. It's which side wins that counts. Habits and what you do. The Max Plank Insitute found something interesting about brain development many years ago. Empathy (right super gyrus thingo) isn't developed in the brain until 13 years of age (average not an absolute rule). That means out first language, in it's rare primal state is limbic emotion and irrationality with often a lack of empathy. Kinda explains a lot when you stop and think from our love of violence, the biff in sport, even in video games, to objectification of bodies in porn, to bullying, to dominance in competition or relationships.
I have to believe that we can rise above our basest instincts. I have some (limited) sucess doing just that in my personal life, so I have to believe it is possible on a large-group level
TAD,
I don't want to chat too much about that here & now but it has similar themes with AI. Human nature. Like the story of The Scorpion & The Frog.
Global temperatures should be falling & we should be heading towards an Ice Age (natural cycles), but instead since the late 19C (Industrial Age) they're rising sharply along with CO2 levels.
Despite the aggressive renewables push, endless climate talks, Paris Accords and lots of hooplah — global warming & CO2 levels are still heading due north going from strength to strength. None of that has caused so much as a burb.
The only time CO2 levels took a decent hit, beyond natural seasonal cycles, was when the world stopped during COVID for a bit.
We still rely on fossil fuels and our world can't just stop can it? Half of us would get wiped out in a Thanos' click.
It's just all unforseen consequences of something good and spewing endless gigatonnes of crap in the atmosphere to get to Modernization and Industrialization. Pity we couldn't get a free ride.
My wife and I often trade "we can't have everything" looks. One lifetime with her isn't near enough.
We'll just need to adapt and find another home — ironically AI could help here — or become just another of the 99.9% of species that didn't make it on this amazing planet full of countless miracles to support life. A great beauty.
But as you said that’s the basic of AI?
Outside the toll AI is taking environmentally (through powering data centres), or monumental water usage it requires (while some children live without clean drinking water), or illegal uses in surveillance, or impact in combat, the biggest concern imo is the impact its having on genuine human creativity. One of the most amazing aspects of being human?
Creative thought. Writing. Art. Music. Design. Not purely at a professional level but at any level. Our creativity is what makes us human.
We’re now able to access unlimited analyses of plagiarised human creativity to have ‘on demand’ creation via the simplicity of a text prompt.
Maybe that’s genius? If cost, speed & ease of creation is prioritised over all else, I guess it is.
But, what does that do to those who have dedicated their lives to learning those creative skills? The very people who create that data that AI plagiarises for the masses?
I’m with you Daz, Randy, Tad, Eelvolution & Mitchy, but trying to ban AI now is like trying to ban cancer from a dying body, it’s spreading through every vein & it’s not going anywhere.
Just personal thoughts, hope to be wrong. Great chat & great to see everyone so respectful of differing opinons.
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