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
your right Bobby, let them eat cake!
Randy/Daz,
We yahoo sexy Kill-Ai-Ban-Ai ideas demonizing Ai as a "psychopathic bullshitter"
But we then use smartphones, google, email, youtube, GPS navigators, social media, apps, 1EE, Gemini, Chat GPT — everyday — all use Ai in their engines.
Ai is created by humans for humans and it's everywhere. But it has its pitfalls — its high risk for human missuse and abuse — like any tools in our hands.
Also, I've already outlined my concerns with AI (e.g. mass control) which are far more socially catastrophic and dystopian than the stiffling of human creativity or human labour.
If you're got free time, it doesn't stop you from going to the gym. Don't blame AI. Anyway, most office-types sit on their arses when they work with sedentary lifestyles. Most of us use computers and software with Ais. Anyone sit down when they use a computer? We're not all labourers or factory hands.
Have we ever considered (out of that famous human empathy that AI doesn't have) that some people might even use chat GPT to help them express or develop their ideas (creativity) or for research (quicker than surfing the net)? Not sure if you dudes have tried Chat GPT, but it's pretty damn useful if it's led the right way. You check its sources, easily, if you're not too lazy. Just ask AI for its sources. You have to tell Ai what to do or what you want after all. It relies on us. If we're not crossing check sources, who's to blame?
It's arguable, but I doubt AI is going to suddenly castrate the creative juices of creative or intelligent people who are that way by nature and strong willed. If anything, it can give the creative and intelligent or even the more literacy-challenged and not-so-creative another tool and palette of expression. It might just take away some of the struggle - much like using a GPS navigator instead of paper maps and compasses. An opinion, obviously. But if you don't adapt to reality and modern life, what do you expect will happen?
Some high intelligence and knowledge goes into creating AI, especially more mind-blowing advanced AI not on the market, which can essentially tap into the entire digital universe we live in — creating heirachies — higher & lower Ai tech. If you're worried now and want to kill AI as it is, get ready to be terified later. It could be catastrophic for your mental health once that advanced stuff is widespread and you find out.
But the only way it's programmed to be a psychotic bullshitter is if the human programmer is. I've yet to come across such AI programmed that way, but I don't deny the possibility. Humans do evil and psychopathy. Ai isn't inherently evil. They follow their human-made programmes and users. Ai didn't create any of that
The only way we're killing AI is if we kill modern life. Kill binary code 0 and 1s. Kill computers. Kill satellites. Kill any smart tech. Kill the web. Kill the digital world. As the 19thC Luddites working in textile factories worried about losing jobs to machines — found out — not happening pending any stray asteroids or us nuking ourselves.
Anyhows, Super will address the AI issue soon. If you're lucky he might go full Rambo and Ban-Ai radicalism — then close the site — as it uses Ai in its engines. Wink. Wink.
The 19C Luddites: Kill Machines!
PS: This site's engine uses AI, but this post is the sole creation of a maniac author who loves big, juicy hypens (—) and subheadings — not unlike AI — and goes by the pseunoymn HoE.
NoS, Great to see you posting. Your creativity, kindness & wisdom is inspiring.
We're both on the same page with our concerns without repeating myself.
But, the bottom line is: AI's a tool created by humans for humans — so any misuse or abuse is on our hands.
Any tool can be misused. Even plastic cutlery can be abused in a padded safe space.
Also, AI is so embedded in our society and will only grow in use. The ban AI brigade are decades too late. This sites engine uses AI. Ban our site?
Your point on creativity being what makes us human is intriguing. I'd partially agree.
You're a highly creative, wise soul — probably one of the most creative here.
Some studies and psychologists link creativity to "open-ness" of new experiences in the Big Five (of personality traits). Is that genetic or environmental, I don't know. But not everyone has high degrees of "open-ness" or creativity. Some are more meat and potatoes pragmatic or conservative.
Wasn't it Einstein who allegedly said something to the effect 'Imagination is more important than knowledge'? I'd agree, but not everyone would.
The thing is knowledge and creativity are linked. When Einstein used his imagination of being on a train to discovery relativity, he still needed to "know" concepts such as what a train and speed was and the language to express it. Also, even great composers, architects, thinkers and artists borrow ideas from the past. It's naive to think most ideas are wholly original in entirety.
Another downside of AI in addition to others, I've mentioned is laziness. If there is no struggle to obtain information or knowledge, because of the AI unbilical cord and over-dependance on, people don't really know much about anything. No drilling, No Struggle, No Knowledge and thus probably limited creativity. Any teacher or army instructor will tell you that is 101. They might become not much more machine than Chat GPT — lost potential. It's something we need to guard against.
Again, it comes down to human nature, habits and decision-making.
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