Las Vegas 2025

[rj90]

... the pommies can piss off.

Whilst I agree, I read that the Super League has confirmed they'll be back next year!

 

[Woodsie]

Whilst I agree, I read that the Super League has confirmed they'll be back next year!

Can only ponder it has something to do with V'Landy's suggestion that the NRL may buy the Super League ... a game is afoot I thinks.

 

[rj90]

The NRL will consider cutting its Las Vegas program from four games to three next year, with Peter V'landys admitting fluctuating crowds has become an issue.

NRL consider shrinking Vegas to three games in 2026

The NRL will consider cutting its Las Vegas program from four games to three next year, with Peter V'landys admitting fluctuating crowds has become an issue.

www.espn.com.au

 

[LeonardCohen]

It's almost like defence wins comps?

I'm shocked....cause I've had a few on here try and argue otherwise.....despite the 2005 Tigers being the one and only example of out-scoring teams

Yeah, and the confidence and sense of control of the game that strong defence can give a team, cannot be underestimated. Seeing the opposition score a fancy try does not have the same psychological advantage that turning the opposition away on your own line in defence does. It galvanises the team.

 

[Rafferty]

It’s funny how most of the analysis around Penrith is about what Cleary and Yeo do with the ball. They’re both great footballers but it’s transparent that the catalyst for their dynasty is line speed and contact in defence. Teams just tread water trying to get out of their own end against them. They really turn the screws on teams. Best defensive side for the last five seasons. They’re up in your face immediately and they win contact more often than not. It’s a simple recipe for success but no other club in the NRL seems capable of replicating it. I’ve seen teams try; even Manly on occasions…but we quickly fatigue and the intensity drops off and that’s the end of that.

Then, once they get some good ball, they’ve got Cleary running set plays with incredible precision and timing. The first try that Laurie scored with two sets of two lead runners was almost impossible to defend against and they ran it with some incredible timing and intensity.

They’re a cut above.

100%, it’s simple, their fitness is the key to their D, their line speed and their dominance, their D is outstanding, how many times did they save that game yesterday? Particularly in the dying stages, where there fitness rose to the forefront. Their roster is stacked with athletic, workhorse, aerobic types who commit to the full 80.

I’ve previously mentioned the turn over in their roster as a positive, take JFH, it was time to let him go, (which sounds crazy as he was great for them) however with Smith and Henry when he comes back, I genuinely believe it’s all upside, their age, miles on the clock, body shapes and aerobic abilities are all upgrades. JFH served them perfectly and there timing in allowing him to leave and stepping up the 2 above to partner Moses while developing young Petea, make me jealous.

They have awesome 2nd row depth, Cover for Yeo (who rarely needs its, but they will be able to spell him this year when necessary, preserve him for the big games and end of year business). Yeo, Kenny (most under rated player in the game for mine) Martin, Garner, all insane 80 minute players.

Their backs are massive for them, their yardage carries out are game defining, their centre pairing are physical without the ball and meter eaters with it, they didn’t miss To’o and he adds another level to that.

Both Laurie’s tries were pretty to watch the whole side was in motion, the 2 lead runners, their timing, all perfect as you said. Cleary is the master, even Laurie just slotted in from the bench, 3 mins in, plays wing and finishes both plays.

To beat Penrith you are going to have to build a side to do it, this is why I can’t see us troubling them, we don’t have the cattle. Cronulla showed they are capable, however not without Brailey for mine, wish we had a DH of his caliber, better still a Kenny.

Looking through their squad, their body types, the blooding of youngsters, how they play to their systems, line speed, their D, how they come out of their red zone, the big minute players, their play book, Yeo, Cleary, they are killing it for a reason. Even the dodgy ref calls doesn’t phase them, they just get on with it, are they beatable? Of course, but the big game experience and composition of their squad, it’s going to take a pretty special effort, from a pretty special side, all things being equal, it’s hard to see how they won’t continue there run.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Yeah, and the confidence and sense of control of the game that strong defence can give a team, cannot be underestimated. Seeing the opposition score a fancy try does not have the same psychological advantage that turning the opposition away on your own line in defence does. It galvanises the team.

Hmm. Not sure if there is any science behind that.

Consider: the opposition holds Manly out for a while. They start to become galvanised.
But then if Manly quickly bag a couple of long distance tries?
First, the zinc coating will run off as they're no longer galvanised.
Second, they might be petrified by Manly's ability to strike from nowhere.
Petrified material rates way higher on the hardness scale than zinc, which is quite soft.
So in their petrified condition they'll hardly even be able to move at all.
And we should run away with the game.

Don't know for sure, but I suspect this is behind our strategy in recent times.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Hmm. Not sure if there is any science behind that.

not sure there needs to be...it's just a conceptual idea based on anecdotal evidence (I can go off my experience as part of teams as both a player and coach) and information passed on by other players/coaches and analysts of the game; the idea that you get 'confidence from your defence'. I could feel it as a player and coach--scoring tries was fun but turning the opposition away made you feel 10 foot tall. Are there exceptions to the rule when momentum swings? Of course.

The number of times you see a team defend their own line for 10 minutes, face an onslaught, and go down the other end and score...it's the psychological advantage that suffocating the opposition has. Defence wins premierships.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

not sure there needs to be...it's just a conceptual idea based on anecdotal evidence (I can go off my experience as part of teams as both a player and coach) and information passed on by other players/coaches and analysts of the game; the idea that you get 'confidence from your defence'. I could feel it as a player and coach--scoring tries was fun but turning the opposition away made you feel 10 foot tall. Are there exceptions to the rule when momentum swings? Of course.

The number of times you see a team defend their own line for 10 minutes, face an onslaught, and go down the other end and score...it's the psychological advantage that suffocating the opposition has. Defence wins premierships.

don't worry I agree. I recall being at Brookie in 2008 for our home semi v Saints, still a bogey team and big danger. They had all the ball and field position for what seemed like ages, but Manly wouldn't let them score. It set up the game (and one of the most brilliant finals campaigns ever).
Really hope we become a brick wall defence unit this year, but not really confident about that just yet.

 

[Uk eagle]

Crowds will always fluctuate at an event like this. Magic weekend may well be a sellout but when is the ground ever full? I don't care if people call me sexist but I have zero interest in watching a women's game. I've tried watching them but it's just like a diluted version of the real thing. So if I was there I'd probably disappear for a couple of hours while it's on. Similarly while the super league game was on there was only a handful of Aussie fans there as it looked like many only chose to attend the two NRL games. The numbers were up by about 5000 it's just that they were spread out over a longer time period than last year

 

[LeonardCohen]

don't worry I agree. I recall being at Brookie in 2008 for our home semi v Saints, still a bogey team and big danger. They had all the ball and field position for what seemed like ages, but Manly wouldn't let them score. It set up the game (and one of the most brilliant finals campaigns ever).
Really hope we become a brick wall defence unit this year, but not really confident about that just yet.

Agree. Defence will be the great yardstick for any potential shot at premiership glory. Another year with the same players and same system is my great hope. I've seen us defend resolutely, so it's there. We just need a few other things to go our way in games (limit penalties and control possession) so our pack doesn't tire. I'm inclined to think it's less about our defensive structures and more about how our players function within the structure itself. If the big pack tires, we'll be in trouble. If we can control possession, our big pack can punch through the middle, DCE can kick on the front foot and we can turn the screws. Then we've got plenty of 'weapons' (as Seibs like to call them 🙂) to keep the scoreboard ticking over.