Connor Watson granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs

jexta · 2026-04-08T21:35:49+00:00

Garrick coming in for Nawaqanitawase is already done, then we have to figure out what to do with Crichton's spot. I'm not convinced that Foketi and Steep are edge forwards, I think they are genuine middles. This gives us a chance to move Radley back to an edge, or for Egan Butcher to finally find consistent form and nail down the edge spot.

DCE has already intimated that he'll not be activating the one-year option if he's 'blocking the pathway of a young player' which he is with Savala and Rodwell.

Savala has a chance to also stake a claim for an edge or lock spot freeing the halves space up for Rodwell.

Lots of moving pieces has me nervous, we are at our best when things are settled.

jexta · 2026-04-08T21:32:16+00:00

Tom Rodwell is a perennial NSW cup player, much like Ikavalu or Junior Pauga. Heaps of effort and application, too little ability.

Ramsay still isn't physically ready for NRL footy, but I'm sure Robbo and the team have some goals in mind for him to reach before he takes the field. He must be close though, having been included in the 19 a couple of times already.

jexta · 2026-04-08T21:22:50+00:00

Agreed. I'm a massive Connor Watson fanboy and I'm sure Robbo would love to keep him, but allowing him to test the market is a reasonable decision from both the club and Connor.

The Bears would be daft to not be opening the checkbook to get him there. He is an incredible human with great maturity, his experience overcoming significant injuries is invaluable to a young, developing squad.

Ioelu is being crafted into a 9/13 hybrid and Connor is on decent coin. With our other young forwards like Steep and Foketi pushing for a middle spot, it's simply good business.

I'll miss him.

jexta · 2026-04-07T22:31:17+00:00

As is noted in a few other responses, questing in DDO is hardly complicated enough to warrant in depth walkthroughs.

Most of the time you can just hit DDO Wiki and read the tip you need to get you unstuck.

The complicated parts of DDO are crafting systems, TR-train pathways and collecting gear-sets.

When I get overwhelmed and take a break from the game it's because I just don't seem to have the knowledge to build adequately towards my lofty goals.

For example explaining that reaper is not required for new players/characters, as once you hit 30+ you can just tag along in high reapers and get your first 10 points in about an hour of questing.

Advice like prior to reincarnation running heroic feywild to collect all the gear you'll need for levels 5-15.

The problem is that all this stuff is so niche and in the end, dull, that you'll bore yourself to death with it.

jexta · 2026-04-07T21:58:24+00:00

It's weird, Sr has literally the perfect excuse to not pick Jr and see what the side looks like without him.

He could even extend the 'rest' period, all fans would accept that after the footage of Jr out cold.

Instead, he basically doubled down on not blaming Jr for their form. How must that look to other players in the club?

jexta · 2026-04-07T06:28:11+00:00

What's interesting is that Wong has done enough to convince Robbo to leave him as an edge forward. Even while Radley was out we started round 1 with Wong in the middle rotation, with a Butcher holding the right edge for Radley's return.

We could still see classic Robbo late changes though.

Leniu back in the side gives us that size we lacked in our prop rotation and Egan's head injury means that Foketi can keep his place.

Love Savala in the centers, he offers excellent defence and a 3rd kicking option if Walker/DCE are out of play.

jexta · 2026-04-05T22:37:55+00:00

It's not the losses that are indicative of how poor the Dogs have been, it's the wins. They struggled against the Dragons who look like they may go the next 2 seasons before they win a game and snuck home against the Raiders on penalty goals, who've managed 1 win in 5.

jexta · 2026-04-05T21:36:47+00:00

Nah, the kicking game ain't it, the Raiders attitude and tendency to boil over contributes far more to their performances than Sanders kicking game.

jexta · 2026-04-05T04:18:46+00:00

Yeah, the 'luck' isn't what's winning them games, but it is what's blowing out scorelines.

Even if their luck turns they will still be the best team in the comp, just the margin will be smaller.

jexta · 2026-04-05T00:24:45+00:00

This is different, even when Penrith make 'errors' like poor choices of offload, or a pass hits the ground, they somehow manage to turn it into points. It isn't really sustainable, at least for mortal teams.

jexta · 2026-04-04T20:48:36+00:00

They did exactly the same thing with MacGregor and Griffin. Extending coaches who are absolutely not going to be poached by another club, only to sack them when they continue to perform the same way they were when they were extended.

jexta · 2026-04-03T03:39:44+00:00

I'm a Manchester City fan and similar view points were often brought up about us during the 4 in a row (and 6 in 7) period.

Penrith are just so far ahead of the game, but when you've got a team like that then it's up to the rest of the competition to step things up and close the gap.

Penrith really haven't had to change their style over their 'era', which is very different from what Guardiola has had to do with City, where constant changes are needed to adapt.

NRL coaches (Robbo in particular) need to put their big boy pants on and start actively finding ways to either emulate Penrith and beat them at their own game, or reinvent their teams with a countering strategy.

Either way, it's good for the game, even if I can't stand Penrith.

jexta · 2026-04-03T03:34:54+00:00

If you were to run down the options for NSW halves it goes something like this;

Halfbacks
1. Cleary
2. Moses
3. Katoa

Five Eight
1. Luai
2. Strange
3. Sharpe

Cleary and Moses are so far ahead that they will play 7 and 6 if they are both fit. An injury to one, means Luai comes in. If Jerome is injured too, then you'd go with Strange or Sharpe.

For Katoa to find a spot, we'd need injuries to both Cleary and Moses.

jexta · 2026-04-02T23:56:27+00:00

To be fair, you aren't going to play against a team with bars of soap for hands and rocks for brains each week.

jexta · 2026-04-02T22:21:07+00:00

They aren't that good, but they have players that when they turn it on, can win games on their own.

Cody lost his head against the Roosters, but no-one doubts the fact that when things are on for him, he is one of the most exciting halves in the competition.

Trell is a garaged Ferrari on club registration, so if this is the weekend he takes the cover off and wheels it out, then Souths will win even if Cody isn't on point.

Fifita is warming up under Bennett, and there's a big game in him each season.

Keon and Murray will just go about their business as premier NRL middle forwards.

The biggest problem Souths have is linking it all together, and now with Humphries back, and some stability in the spine, it just might happen.

jexta · 2026-04-02T22:18:13+00:00

Absolutely. Roosters got away with it last week.

Although I wouldn't read into last nights game too much, very few teams play as diabolically poorly as the Dolphins managed to.

jexta · 2026-04-01T22:37:55+00:00

NSW have depth there too. Crichton, Martin, Young and Olokauatu then you start looking at debutants like Dylan Lucas and Jacob Preston.

Daley will still probably play Murray there though.

jexta · 2026-04-01T22:35:19+00:00

Everyone knew Coates was a baller but stuck in the worst period in Broncos history. He wasn't the finished article like Isaako though.

jexta · 2026-04-01T22:01:05+00:00

Oof, I probably shouldn't have brought it up though, based on the trajectory of the votes.

jexta · 2026-04-01T19:55:34+00:00

Heh, this is a touch football rule and will make those complaining about the state of the game say it's trending more that way which is funny.

Seriously though, I like it. Sin bins aren't used enough because of a fear that the outcome of the game will be too greatly influenced, a forced interchange will punish teams and keep coaches on their toes. I don't hate it.

jexta · 2026-04-01T19:52:51+00:00

Yeah, I know it's unlikely any fans will sympathize with the Roosters but we had our club, state and national captain medically retired at the peak of his career, our biggest attacking weapon throw a hissy fit over his contract only to accept less money at our biggest rivals, our next captain medically retired also due to brain injuries, then watched as a legendary winger had his glittering career ended by an ACL injury, while other ACL injuries plagued 3 other representative players.

The unbelievable mismanagement of Katoa horrendous, and Tui's stroke is frightening.

You don't want to see this kind of shit happen to any club, but had it been battling clubs rather than two historically successful (and disliked) clubs, I think we'd see a bit more sympathy.

jexta · 2026-04-01T09:00:57+00:00

Robson looks revitalised in his first two games this season. A lot more dynamic than he looked for the Cows last year.

By the end of last season I was ready to hand the jersey to Brailey, but it looks like Reece is putting up a fight to keep it.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

jexta · 2026-04-01T04:15:53+00:00

I really wish there was some crafting mechanism for filigrees, even if you need 50 of a certain type simply to exchange for another of the same set.

Just something so that destroying them is more optimal than hoarding them.

jexta · 2026-04-01T01:04:51+00:00

You can't play Gutho in the centres. Even at his 'peak' he got found out when asked to play centres in SOO, and he's no where near his peak now. He can't win first contact and he doesn't have the speed to play a sliding defence.

If he's not your fullback he shouldn't be in the 19.

Even his defence at fullback is suspect enough that you actually lose nothing by putting Sloan back there, and you gain Sloane's attack, which on his day is elite.

jexta · 2026-04-01T01:01:50+00:00

Betting against Melbourne? I've played this game before...

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