Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on Juniors 2025 season, he had a pretty awful 2024 that was capped off with a broken foot. Some retirement rumours early this season but the big fella has pushed that all aside and had a pretty good 2025. He has slimmed down a fair bit under the Ryles system and his minutes have gone up. Heading into 2026 we could probably use another middle leader and maybe move Junior the bench similar to what raiders have done with papalii but would need to find a gun middle. All in all good bounce back season I think for junior not as damaging in the middle but much fitter and better work rate.
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I think he had a great year. I'll put first to admit I thought we got rid of the wrong prop when rcg left. Ryles knows what his doing
The slimming down has helped him a lot. Ryles has gotten the best out of him considering his age and stage of career for sure. I think RCG might have been the same if he stayed ?
RCG went into old Penrith mode at GC. Just went through the motions. He had his big money contract, living on the Gold Coast and ready to just see out his career. Even mentioned after Ryles was hired, tongue in cheek, that with Ryles he may need to train now. He had checked out on his career and well he has played Origin and for Australia, earned a lot of money, he could just be happy with what he has achieved.
IMO if you look back over his career I believe this will be one of his best,the reason I say this is he's evolved and changed so his skill set suits the game now.The old dog has learnt new tricks some can't.His old running mate on the GC looks heavy footed and is carrying too many kegs where as Junior has leaned down his agility is improved and has the ability go harder for longer.
The most impressive thing I've seen out of Junior this year is his second stints coming back on he's doing everything his workrate and effort are still very high and he's finishing over the top of his opponent in most cases.He may not have that ability to bend the line like he used to but for what he's giving to the team right now he's the leader of our pack and the glue that keeps the middle together.Without him in these last 2 months I think we lose some of these games that we've won.
Never really rated him as a leader either, but he's shown more of that this year and helping the young blokes come on up. Also wasn't to bad in the press conferences 😂 big tick for junior this season
Im with Jack when we let go of RCG i through why let him go and Keep Paulo but the way RCG played for GC and Paulo played for us i was very happy with it Paulo step up this year
But i think he need to step up and next year along with Zac Penisini couple of other players and Moses needs to step away from rep footy if we going to make the 8 next year or he will sit out most of the year again like he did in last 2 years
Arnie, try to put yourself in those players shoes and ask yourself, would you take "your advice".......the record is not great as you point out with Junior in comparison to RCG and you are proven wrong regularly.
If we can sign another leader for the middle (Keaon) then I'd be all for Junior coming off the bench and more impact sort of role. I'm hoping we are looking for something like that
Very encouraging season from Junior. I can see him staying in 2027 too as a bench rotation. Papalii is a good arc to follow for Junior.
Agree, up to the club to bring in some fresh middle leaders so he can lessen his workload next few seasons, still worth having big junior at the club but like papalli
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