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Tackles and Tinnies - Ep 22 - Grand Final Chaos, Perth Bears & Our Cooked 2026 Crystal Ball
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We went deep for this one.
Across 90 minutes, the boys empty the esky on the entire 2025 season and set up our new 17-part mini series, where we’ll go team-by-team from Knights to Raiders and preview every club for 2026.
In Episode 22 we zoom out and talk big-picture footy:
- 2025 Grand Final recap – key swings, clutch moments & the official Tinnie of the Decider
- The Broncos’ run: did finishing 4th with a +172 diff actually undersell how good they were?
- Did Reece Walsh just deliver the best Grand Final performance we’ve ever seen, or are we drunk on highlights?
- Perth Bears 2027 – expansion chat, early signings, and who they have to throw the chequebook at next
- Extended 21-man bench idea – concussion cover, rotation strategy and what it does to SuperCoach
- Golden Boot debate – why Harry Grant got it, and why we reckon Dylan Brown was robbed
- Rep footy wrap – Ashes + Pacific Nations Cup: standouts, storylines and surprise smokeys
- ChatGPT’s 2026 crystal ball:
Dally M Team of the Year & medal winner
Biggest risers and fallers on the ladder
Grand Final matchup & premiers prediction
From next episode we start the club-by-club run – one team per ep, from the Knights all the way up to the Raiders. If you’re riding the whole series with us, hit follow, sub, and crack a tinnie. 🍻
Recommended
Transcript
Return from Hiatus
00:00:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, cheers. Muscle Nation, Pro Team Water, come sponsor me, please. But Tackles and Tinnies viewers, we are back. It's been like, don't know, two months, Chris? What do you reckon?
00:00:14
Chris
I'm Brian. My brother's a different mother.
00:00:16
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah
00:00:17
Chris
No, it's been two months, hey. It has been. Actually, it's been three.
00:00:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, last school holidays.
00:00:22
Chris
Grandpa was in September. Yeah.
Missed Opportunities and Future Plans
00:00:24
Chris
But good to be back.
00:00:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Crazy, man. Mate, like we've missed so much. We were meant to do the grand final wrap up and then school holidays from term three happened. I was away and then everything just went to shambles.
00:00:36
Tackles and Tinnies
But there's so much to talk about. But Tackles and Tinnies listeners, I still just want to, before we get into the pod and what's going to be happening for today's episode and for the preceding future, Tackles and Tinnies, we're just going to go popping off next year.
00:00:47
Chris
you
00:00:52
Tackles and Tinnies
We're obviously experimenting with, with different hosts. Chris, you made the cut. Good job, mate. I saw Gary this morning. Obviously, with Physio Corner and stuff, we'll be coming back for 2026. More importantly, Supercoach is four days away now, Chris.
00:01:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Unreal. so you're going to get your Supercoach content coming back for 2026. Our boy Adam, hopefully number one next year. Apparently, he's not touching team picket of February because the addiction is real.
00:01:18
Tackles and Tinnies
But, hey, you got to feed the addiction somehow. So I'll be there day one and maybe Chris, we can i talk about Supercoach first up before we get everything else. But in regards to tackles and tinnies, in regards to socials,
00:01:31
Tackles and Tinnies
chris will mainly be doing just rugby league and the super coach sort of things but i'm gonna get other boys involved like you know jake you know andy adam of course we've got some other boys like sam and randall they're keen to jump on board here and there regarding some other topics whether that's movies other sports like nba culture you guys have been seeing me hitting some gym stuff i'm gonna be posting some of that today as well
00:01:49
Chris
movement
00:01:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Not going to brag, Chris, but yesterday I got a 1RMPB for my back squat yesterday, 155 kilos. Thank you. Thank you. Hold your applause.
00:02:01
Chris
Incredible.
00:02:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Hold your applause.
00:02:02
Chris
Incredible.
00:02:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes, I did not squish myself, so that's im obviously good. But yeah, Tappos and Tinnies going to be popping off. Content is going to be getting around. So again, guys, we want to hear you guys through social media. We want you guys to
Magic Round Challenges and Insights
00:02:16
Tackles and Tinnies
tell your mates. Obviously, that's going to help Chris and I get more exposure. And we will be going to Magic Round, Chris.
00:02:23
Tackles and Tinnies
Before I tell the Magic Round story, Who is your, obviously you're the West Tigers, good job. What are your thoughts for Magic Round for the West Tigers? Are you going to be doing the claw one more time?
00:02:36
Chris
Oh, for sure. I can't. I can't wait to notch up another win at Magic Round in 2026. You know, I play against the Seagulls, you know, Tommy Turbo's Dickie Knees, you know.
00:02:47
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah
00:02:47
Chris
i think we I think we can notch a win, hopefully.
00:02:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, you and Josh Randall, mate, you both can be sitting next to each other and someone's going to be sinking beers and the other one's just going to be, i don't know, probably walking out of the stadium in absolute disheartened.
00:03:02
Tackles and Tinnies
So...
00:03:03
Chris
Oh, it's going to be the highlight. One of the highlights of my year next year. You know, I'm excited to sit next to Viv.
00:03:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Hard at this time.
00:03:09
Chris
You know, it's going to be good.
00:03:10
Tackles and Tinnies
The banter will be real.
00:03:11
Chris
help
00:03:12
Tackles and Tinnies
So, back as the teenagers, I'll tell a little story. So, magic round. Me being a school teacher, I'm just like anally organized. I'm like eight to ten months in advance. and no you Probably long got for a year in advance. I'm like, okay, May. It's going to be in May. It's going to be the Labor Day long weekend.
00:03:30
Tackles and Tinnies
which would be May 1st and May 4th. So I got accommodation booked 12 months in advance. I found like a motel right on Fortitude Valley. I'm like, perfect spot. We can go out for beers after or hang out, whatever. Stadium's only 10 minutes away. We're sweet.
00:03:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Labor Day, long weekend. Again, and NRL likes to fuck us over, and that's three years in a row they've changed the date on us. They're keeping everyone guessing. But it wasn't Labor Day long weekend. When they did the draw, they decided to put it on May 14th to May 17th.
00:04:04
Tackles and Tinnies
That was a bit of a hurdle, Chris, because obviously, i'm lucky I wake up early because the early bird gets the worm. i went on to booking.com and my God, guys, there'll be properties still available. Go on to booking.com. Have a look for May 15th to 17th, which is the three-day pass, which is what we're doing.
00:04:24
Tackles and Tinnies
My God, I went on there at 5.30 in the morning when the news dropped, $50,000, $25,000, $35,000. fifty thousand dollars I was like, are you kidding?
00:04:34
Tackles and Tinnies
It's like a two-bedroom apartment. I need i need bloody 10 rooms for the amount of boys I've got going. And then I i just zoomed in, I zoomed in, I zoomed in. And there it was.
00:04:34
Chris
Hmm.
00:04:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Where our accommodation is, the prices haven't changed yet because they haven't been awake. I'm like, you beauty. I booked like, I think, 17 rooms.
00:04:52
Chris
Hmm.
00:04:55
Tackles and Tinnies
I booked more than I needed. I was just so excited. I'm like, boys, we're on. Okay.
00:05:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Fast forward to what? Now it'd be two weeks ago. We're at school. Okay. We're going to wet and wild for our like end of year break up. and like, okay, boys, who's in for Magic on it? One final check. We currently have 13 boys in the group chat.
00:05:00
Chris
Hmm.
00:05:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Jake drops out. Adam drops out. Brownie drops out. And then Corey's like, oh, they're dropping out. I'm dropping out. what the hell? Sam last minute dropped out from 13 or 14 boys.
00:05:30
Tackles and Tinnies
And we got down to like five boys. And i' just I left the group chat. I raged. I'm just like...
00:05:35
Chris
You're upset. You're upset.
00:05:36
Tackles and Tinnies
i i was but I was pissed.
00:05:37
Chris
I could tell.
00:05:40
Tackles and Tinnies
I was so mad. i was in the bed. like everyone's just like the Everyone's just like, I can't go anymore or they're not going. I'm not going. Too expensive. Whatever. i was like, F this.
00:05:51
Tackles and Tinnies
I went upstairs. I'm like, Laura, I left the group chat. She's like, what do you mean? I'm like, of grit I'm not going to Magic Round. She's like, Ryan, there's like five other boys who are keen. Chris is keen. Randall was keen.
00:06:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Like Gaz, Morgz are keen. Whatever. i was like, okay. I just need to breathe, but I'm not going. I'm pissed off. I'm not going. And then I got on the bus at school, going to Wet n Wild. i was like, okay.
00:06:15
Tackles and Tinnies
I'll message Chris. k Chris didn't message me back. I'm like, Chris, I'm assuming you're going. You're in. Tick. I messaged Gary. I messaged Robert. I'm like, boys, you guys still keen? Yeah, we're in. So we're up to four people.
00:06:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Messaged Randall and he's like, I will go if we can play golf. I'm like, done. I can organize that. We can play some golf. Tick. We're up to five.
00:06:34
Chris
Great deal, you really.
00:06:36
Tackles and Tinnies
And then Corey, I'm like, message Corey, didn't respond after 10 minutes. Like, this is a hard deadline. So the tickets opened at 10 o'clock for a Tidans member. I'm like, okay, I needed a definitive answer.
00:06:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Corey's not messaged me back. I'm like, standard Corey, so bloody inefficient. Called Corey, Corey, mate, what's happening? He's like, I don't know. i Is everyone going Magic Ground? I don't know what's happening. I'm like, Corey, you're coming to Magic Ground.
00:07:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Randall's back in. Chris is in. Gaz is in. It's going be a good time. He's like, all right, you've got me. I said I was going to go. I'll go. So we got to six people. Got to Wet n Wild and it was like 9.55. I'm like, okay, surely they're going to let us in early to like get everyone through the gate because we went through like a secret back entrance for the school kids.
00:07:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Gates weren't open. I'm like, I'm on my wet laptop. I've got hotspot with like 50,000 people, it felt like, trying to get into this thing. and like, the Wi-Fi is going to be so trash. And I was like, okay, 10 o'clock hits.
00:07:33
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm walking with my laptop. I'm hoping my hotspot holds on. i like found a seat, sat down.
00:07:38
Chris
you
00:07:39
Tackles and Tinnies
i was entering like the special code that the Titan sent me to get through the gate. And obviously, so many people... have gone through or on the ticketing site. I was like number like 500 and after like 30 seconds, I got in. Okay.
00:07:54
Tackles and Tinnies
And after last year's fiasco, don't probably told you this Chris, but last year, like trying to get tickets wasn't as hard, but I couldn't get like, obviously after day one, we got our seats and then we got split up day two and day three.
00:08:06
Tackles and Tinnies
I learned from that mistake. i was like, okay, i actually got to reselect the seats because I had to do two separate bookings last year. This year only had to do one booking because less people wasn't eight people more.
00:08:17
Tackles and Tinnies
So each day I was clicking the seat or hang on, click the seats for day one, day two and three.
00:08:18
Chris
So, I'm not to be able do that. not going to be able to do that.
00:08:23
Tackles and Tinnies
couldn't select the seat. It was like bugged because there's so many people on there.
00:08:25
Chris
I'm not going be able to do that.
00:08:27
Tackles and Tinnies
I was like, what the heck?
00:08:28
Chris
I'm not be to that.
00:08:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay. Refresh the page. And then that cooked me.
00:08:30
Chris
not going to do that.
00:08:32
Tackles and Tinnies
And I was like essentially locked out for five minutes.
00:08:32
Chris
I'm not able that.
00:08:34
Tackles and Tinnies
So i was like, shit, it's like seven past 10 minutes.
00:08:35
Chris
going be I'm not going to be to do
00:08:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Can't get on. Did the same thing.
00:08:40
Chris
going be able to that.
00:08:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Couldn't select any days. Couldn't select day one. Couldn't select day two, day three.
00:08:43
Chris
I'm not going able
00:08:44
Tackles and Tinnies
it was like saying it was sold though there was like hundreds of seats available in like sections. Like you could book eight at a time, whatever. was like seats available here. they there there Couldn't book it. I was like, shit. Tried refreshing the page again. Opened up another browser. Opened up like Edge. Opened up fucking Firefox. I was every single browser you can imagine trying to get in.
00:09:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Couldn't get in. Locked out again because it was on Ticketek account.
00:09:06
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:09:07
Tackles and Tinnies
It was like, got to 20 past. I was in the group chat and I was like, boys, we're cooked. There's like, there's no seats available. We're not going to Magic Ground. And I'm like, okay, I'll do it one more time.
00:09:19
Tackles and Tinnies
And I got in and I was like, we're Friday night. We're like right behind the post. i'm like, sweet. And then all a sudden, the seats I could have got originally were like pretty much the same area. Now we're like top right corner and then we're like middle left corner for day three. So Chris, long story short, we got tickets. Was was it stressful? Yes.
00:09:41
Tackles and Tinnies
And I realized in my stupidity and for the probably 30 people who listen to this through the long form, I might keep it as a secret in the long form only. Might clip this up for a little short clip to get more viewers. But the cheat code is you just buy the four-day pass.
00:09:58
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you know what the price difference is, Chris?
00:10:01
Chris
Tell me.
00:10:02
Tackles and Tinnies
$20.
00:10:04
Chris
Wow.
00:10:05
Tackles and Tinnies
So obviously, you're guaranteed to pretty much get what any seat you want. Because they're trying to get people through the stadium for the woman's origin. For $20 more, you're pretty much going to get the bottom tier for the $20 extra with no stress.
00:10:22
Tackles and Tinnies
So for the people listening and you want to go magic round, that is the cheat code. Pay the extra $20, get the four-day pass, go to the origin maybe if you want to. For me, logistically too hard, but...
00:10:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, buy the four-day pass, pay the extra 20 bucks and do yourself a favor and you will save a lot, a lot of stress. As a teacher, hope you learnt something because that is the chat cheat code for beating the system at Suncorp.
00:10:49
Tackles and Tinnies
So, Chris, did you understand any of that? Fuck.
00:10:53
Chris
I did. But now that everybody knows, we will be getting tickets to a magic round in 2027 now?
00:11:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, we have to make this time. It's going to be top four by then. So wishful thinking, wishful thinking.
00:11:08
Chris
Hey, they're a team on the They're a team on the up. And we'll be talking about that in the future.
00:11:12
Tackles and Tinnies
We will be talking about that. Funny enough, Chris, we haven't done a grand final debrief. So I think we just get sort of straight into that. So Broncos, what a rollercoaster of emotions from last year.
00:11:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Obviously, we've been through Supercoach. We went through their semifinal run against the Raiders and the Panthers. Both sort of come back behind or underdog story wins, but particularly that Raiders game where they lost three times in a row.
00:11:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Panthers, clinical, obviously with the send-off, I mean the simbidding, whatever. What were your thoughts on the grand final against the Melbourne Storms?
00:11:53
Chris
Oh, it was a great grand final, it wasn't it, Ryan? I think, honestly, it probably was just the Walsh throw, you know, and, like, I think, like, the moment was, you know, 10 minutes from halftime, you know, that Broncos are down 16-6 and the Storm have just scored three tries and they've got all the momentum and he's just run for everybody to score underneath the sticks and he just put the team on his back, you know, and he was he was great, you know. What did you think about his performance?
00:12:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, again, I think it was just absolutely spectacular. I think it was one of the absolute all-time performances, if not the greatest of all time. I think it was me, you and Adam on a podcast maybe before the Raiders game.
00:12:32
Chris
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:12:36
Tackles and Tinnies
And we talked about purple patches, about the Ben Barber, about the Jared Hayne, about the Tom Chiborovic. Nathan Cleary runs that people had and we said the golden form or the purple patch of form that if Reece Walsh could win the grand final, which he did, was it the greatest stretch of all time? I think now and he did an 80 minute performance, which is obviously the biggest thing.
00:13:07
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:13:11
Tackles and Tinnies
And those big moments that he wanted, that's what was the defining fact. And I think that's a legacy defining result for Recy Walsh.
00:13:20
Tackles and Tinnies
And I just want to give him all the roses and all the the praise because he delivered on the biggest stage, essentially for five weeks in a row because Broncos had to win to get top four.
00:13:32
Tackles and Tinnies
And obviously they came from behind. But the Raiders had that awesome little stretch for like 50 minutes against the Panthers. And then obviously 80 minutes performance against the the the Storm. Personally, Chris, my opinion, best purple patch of all time.
00:13:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you agree?
00:13:49
Chris
Look, look, there's very little disagreement from him. Like, you know I know earlier this season, I called him rollercoaster race, you know, because, you know, he's so up and down and everything like that.
00:14:02
Chris
But, you know, you're totally right. Like that performance was like just right up there with, you know, clear. He's like 2023, you know, antics, you know, like, you know, some of those criticisms that he's had we've had.
00:14:12
Chris
against him, for example, you know, his lack of defense, you know, he scores tries, but he lets more in, you know, you think back to that tackle against Paps, you know, 30 seconds to go in the grand final, you know, Eli Katova's just made a break and then he passes to Paps and then, you know, And he's also mowed down Pappy, I think, about two minutes before when he makes a break as well.
00:14:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:14:32
Chris
And, you know, and you know and he's done that flick pass, you know, to Will Warwick.
00:14:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:14:36
Chris
And Will Warwick's knocked the ball on, unfortunately. You know, so, yeah. And, you know, I think it really cements his legacy for sure. Like, you know, you often have to win the premiership, you know, to be considered a legend.
00:14:47
Chris
You know, and in the NBA, if you don't win a championship, they just – it's always, a you know, it's a tag against you. You know, and it's also that. It's not just the way – It's not just that he's won it, it's he was the man and like, you know, nobody can ever take it away from him.
00:15:02
Chris
So, you know, it's a stuff you dream about, you know, it's like hitting a last minute, you know, last second buzzer beater, you know?
00:15:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:15:07
Chris
And so, you know, definitely, definitely I'd have no disagreements without, you know, being, hey, pretty much best purple patch, you know, of all time.
00:15:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:15:15
Chris
Yeah.
00:15:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:15:15
Chris
And, uh, and also just to bring this up as well, you know, they, the Broncos as well, they went on such a hot streak. Uh, if you remember back in round 13 and they got absolutely destroyed by the Seagulls 34 to six, they then went on on a 14 to one finish run to finish entire season.
00:15:37
Chris
Yep. They lost once against the Eels and that was in round 21.
00:15:40
Tackles and Tinnies
When was the triple hamstring? What game was that? What round?
00:15:46
Chris
I cannot remember. can't even remember who they for the who they were playing against.
00:15:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, we'll have to get some we'll get get some research on the fly there.
00:15:50
Chris
i just know they won.
00:15:54
Tackles and Tinnies
But while you looked that up for me, Chris, if you don't mind, there's some other guys I want to shout out. And obviously they've been through the the heartache of the wooden spoon, but Payne Haas in particular and the leadership and the hardworking grunt of Patrick Carrigan, those two boys were so good to see them embrace post-game.
00:16:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Payne Haas. He's the GOAT of the front rowers or a forward of all time. He's the best forward of all time, without a doubt. Arguably could be the best player of all time for his particular role.
00:16:27
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:16:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Unreal. So, so good to see. And Patrick Harrigan, I've been – back in the day, we used to – when they had their wooden spoon run, people were throwing all the wooden spoons onto the field. And Patrick Harrigan and Payne Haas were embracing. They were just absolute babies at the time, like early 20s, maybe in their teenage years.
00:16:48
Tackles and Tinnies
but now it was so good to see them embrace post-game when they won and all that hard work and grit and playing through injury, playing at origin and being leaders of that pack coming from the bottom to the top.
Broncos' Journey and Coaching Styles
00:17:01
Tackles and Tinnies
That's what you love to see. And it's great storybook and storytelling for the NRL. And they've deserved all the flowers and praise that they're getting as well. And What do you think about the Payne Haas, Paddy Carrigan?
00:17:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Started from the bottom, now we're here.
00:17:17
Chris
Oh, yet again, great narrative, really. You know, and i you know they deserve all the flowers that that they get, really. Every week they, you know, this whole season, you know, in terms of people who were consistent, you know, from round one, all the grand final, Paddy Carrigan and Payne Haas, just the meters that they ate up, just just to put the put the bro Broncos on the front foot. I mean, we, I think they, i should also say as well,
00:17:46
Chris
Without forwards, your backs just can't shine at all. you know So I think that, you know, great. Yeah, they they are standup standout performers. And now the question is, can the Broncos retain Payne Haas for next season?
00:18:02
Chris
You know, he was supposed to go to Rugby 360. And obviously now, because that's been delayed to 2028, can they keep him? Especially because they've sought the Broncos have signed Carrigan, Walsh, Ezra Mam, Katoni Staggs. very, very expensive deals. Is enough space to retain Payne Haas in the cap?
00:18:27
Chris
Yep.
00:18:29
Tackles and Tinnies
He's got family. Well, he's got both his parents are in jail, but all his young siblings, he's the breadwinner. He's obviously got a young kid himself, uprooting his family and going around the world.
00:18:40
Tackles and Tinnies
That would be pretty big, especially with the his siblings that he's looking after. and I think just creating that legacy, at home. He's already done so. Like, he's achieved everything, obviously. But I think the uprooting, I think, like, going to Perth Bears, for example, is too much. It's too too many chess pieces to move around the board. And I've just looked up, Chris.
00:19:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Ironically, it was Melbourne versus Broncos.
00:19:06
Chris
Yes, round 2023. Yep.
00:19:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. I mean, the triple hamstring injury.
00:19:10
Chris
in
00:19:12
Tackles and Tinnies
So that was, that's crazy. So, and obviously we've got to mention too in the grand final about Renault and Ben Hunt both going down at separate periods of the game, which obviously puts more pressure on Recy Walsh. So kudos to him.
00:19:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Corey Pakes and Tyson Smoothie, they obviously did very, very well. Both boys were out of favour last year and then Madge coming in, I think,
00:19:34
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:19:35
Tackles and Tinnies
What do you think about Magic McGuire? We didn't need to talk about him, obviously. He's quite polarizing as a coach. He's my way, the highway. But in probably the last 10 years, probably less, eight years,
00:19:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Origin win. Origin win at Suncorp for a game three. He was a New Zealand World Cup coach, whatever, won that. Obviously, Broncos. He's a Rabideaus.
00:20:01
Tackles and Tinnies
He's got great resume.
00:20:01
Chris
Yep. One the rabbit eyes.
00:20:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Great resume.
00:20:03
Chris
Hmm.
00:20:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably missing a couple of things there, obviously, but what thoughts on Madge?
00:20:08
Chris
I, I, I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. He was much my maligned, uh, this year, you know, especially, you know, on NRL 360, they had a lot of doubts about him, you know, about, you know, being too hard on all the players.
00:20:22
Chris
But, you know, he, you know, I think he, I think you have to give him credit where credit's due, you know, because he sees things that other people just did not. I think the best example was Gemma Matt, you know, Shibasaki, you know, he's just, you know, just the, you know, just the park player.
00:20:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:20:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:20:37
Chris
And all of a sudden this year, you know, Queensland centre, you You know, to get, you know to you know, to find out, you know, to have, you know, Billy Walters, they put him in at five eight and that was also really, really good until he had he did his ACL.
00:20:52
Chris
Yeah, i I, you know, and he's, you know, they've convinced, you know, Grant Anderson to join them next year. Like, this team just really only gets stronger for next year, really.
00:20:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:21:00
Chris
And another thing as well, his ability to turn Reece Walsh around when, you know, he was out of form at the beginning season, you know, nobody wants to pick him at, you know, Queensland fullback, you know. You know, I think Madge has a lot to do with it. And I think also, you know, Reece Walsh also credits Madge, you know, for that turnaround as well. So, yeah.
00:21:19
Chris
Yeah, he's he's a bloody good coach.
00:21:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. where Putting you on the the spot here, where would you put Madge in terms of coaches in the NRL right now if you had to give a ranking?
00:21:32
Chris
Oh, definitely top three for sure. You know, I think you put Cleary, Ricky Stewart and, and Madge up there, you know and he's one of those.
00:21:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:21:41
Chris
And I think he's now on those coaches now where you give him tenure. He's one of those ones. It's like Ricky now. He, he's now won multiple, multiple premierships, you know, and as you said, you just, just, you just talked about that glittering resume he has.
00:21:54
Chris
He can now do whatever he wants, I think. you know He could have a couple of losing seasons and he's still allowed to stay. you know Nobody can fire him. and you know I think that the Broncos could do a lot, lot worse than having than having him
00:22:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:22:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. So Tackle and Tinney's viewers, we're going to be doing 17 mini pods essentially. We're going to break down every single team on separate episodes. So i want to give away too many sneak previews and peeks for each team, but definitely keep an eye out for that.
00:22:23
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, we'll be posting that probably by the new year, definitely by the new year.
00:22:28
Chris
Thank
00:22:28
Tackles and Tinnies
So again, keep your eyes out for the mini segments coming up soon. So that's the 2025 season in regards to the Broncos, tantalizing performance, so many aspirational players. Obviously, the Ben Hunt redemption story we could talk about with the drop ball and then coming back full circle and getting that field goal again to the next round. then obviously, he hurts himself in the grand final with Reno and then the young fellas picking up the slack. Unreal. Yeah. But again, we'll talk about Broncos later on.
00:23:01
Tackles and Tinnies
I want to talk about the Perth Bears. And obviously, this there's things we can talk about in regards to some players coming in, which is cool. Some of the history regarding them. But there's not too many signings at the moment.
00:23:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably some of the biggest ones is Toby Sexton and Liam Henry. i think Sexton, obviously, been a Titans member. Yeah.
00:23:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably got rid of him too early. Very stable hand, Bulldogs, similar thing. Very steady ship. I think whoever accompanies him, you need someone who's gonna be a bit more off the cuff. He's a very much conservative halfback. You need someone like a, not saying Cameron Munster per se, but Cameron Munster-esque in regards to their playing style.
00:23:49
Tackles and Tinnies
That's the type of guy that the Perth Bears needs. I'm hearing murmurs about Matty Burden. I'm hearing murmurs about potentially Munster if they throw big money at him. Don't know.
00:24:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Time will tell. missed saying that one. Time will tell. Obviously, there's another signing that they've got is Isaac Fussel Malawi trying to get Tino across.
00:24:12
Tackles and Tinnies
No chance. Tino's staying. He's loyal to a fault. Tino, I know you're watching. I know you're listening. You're staying. What are your thoughts on the Perth Bears, Chris? Anything to add?
00:24:23
Chris
Yeah, look, I like how they're going about their business. You know, I like Mao, you know, winningest coach, you know, of all time in origin.
00:24:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes.
00:24:32
Chris
you know, I love, I really like the Sexton signing, really. You know, i know there's a lot of questions about whether he's good enough, you know, as you said. You know, he's very conservative, but I think it's hard to tell because I think he was in a system at the Doggies and it's a very, very similar situation. For example, where, you know, Lockie Galvin, you know, he doesn't look as good right now. as He didn't look very great, you know, in 2025, but I think it's just a case of being the system. And he reminds me a lot of Jonathan Thurston back in 2004. You know, it was a, you know, a playmaker at Doggies, very conservative, told not good enough. He goes to the cows and he makes his position his own.
00:25:08
Chris
You know, and and like Thurston, you know, Thurston had growing pains at the Cowes.
00:25:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes.
00:25:12
Chris
So you kind of have to reserve a bit of judgment. Even if, you know, Sexton doesn't come out, you know, super hot in 2020 when he starts playing, you know, I think you have to reserve the judgment.
00:25:22
Chris
It'll be hard. You know, new team, so much media scrutiny, but I really, really like it. and And, you know, the fact that they've picked, you know, a fairly young spy, you know, no...
00:25:33
Chris
No mad big superstars. I like how they recruited. I think that the template is the Dolphins. You recruit hard-nosed players.
00:25:40
Tackles and Tinnies
yes
00:25:42
Chris
They just work hard, like Liam Henry, you know, and then you kind of, yeah.
00:25:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes, great. Yep.
00:25:46
Chris
And then you just, you know, they're not expected to win. So that's why I think it's great that, you know, Sexton's there, you know, and, you know, if he does really well, you know, and he really, really blooms brilliant. And if they don't, then so be it. But, you know, there's a good chance you could just, you know, you know, it's like, like the Finns, you know, you blood young halves like Izzy Katoa and, you know, and all of a sudden you've got a, you know, potential future, you know, New South Wales fullback.
00:26:08
Chris
So yeah, I like it. I like what they're doing very much. And, and, and I agree with you. I do think that, you know, it'd be great if they had, you know, Karen Munster or something like that, that I would much rather you spend your money on just trying to recruit players who really want to play in their narrow and just really, really just put their nose down and just work hard. You're going to grind out wins at some point.
00:26:29
Chris
Yeah.
00:26:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, I 100% agree, man. I'm just having a quick little read here and about the junior base. So they have a partnership with the North Sydney Bears. So w a junior growth, the Western Australia Rugby League already has a solid junior base with a new NRL team coming through.
00:26:44
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:26:46
Tackles and Tinnies
yes so that's what was my main thing because obviously it's more AFL, correct me if I'm wrong, Chris, and WA. I think that obviously like the same with PNG coming in in 2028. Yeah.
00:26:59
Tackles and Tinnies
eight I think they're just going to have problems getting people to come. It's just not the most desirable spot. For me, I'm not a professional athlete. I like to think I'm somewhat competent, but I know if I have to travel for sport, it's never optimal.
00:27:15
Tackles and Tinnies
And obviously, potentially, they could have a base somewhere, potentially even on the Gold Coast, sort of like in the midway point. But if you have to travel that, what is it, five hours to Perth, Chris?
00:27:26
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't know. Correct-ish? Yeah.
00:27:27
Chris
Uh, four hours, four hours.
00:27:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:27:28
Chris
I've been on that flight. I think I went, you know, from, you know, from Melbourne to Perth, Perth and back. It's, it's long, it's a long time being cramped, you know, a seat, you know?
00:27:36
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah yeah and then obviously nrl plays they're big boys so it's like obviously they're trying to get business class or whatever but yeah not optimal and that's what we talk about here in this podcast optimal so if i'm a top of the line athlete unless you're paying me stupid overs like let's say i'm matt burden
00:27:39
Chris
Uh,
00:27:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, at the dogs, I might be on 800 to, at the very most, 1.2 mil.
00:27:57
Chris
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:28:02
Tackles and Tinnies
If I'm Perth Bears, you might have to throw 1.2 to 1.5. Okay, because again, you've got that new team tax, you've got the uncertainty tax, and you've got the logistics tax. So all these things work against you, and the PNG, Commol, they're going to have the exact same hurdles to overcome.
00:28:21
Tackles and Tinnies
With the Dolphins, I think they had a little bit easier. Fantastic junior base because the club's been around forever. and obviously, it's in Brisbane. Well, just outside Brisbane. So, yeah.
00:28:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Time will tell, mate. Time will tell. you got anything else to add to the players?
00:28:33
Chris
Yeah. Yeah, no, look, look, even I would say that the, I think that it was great that you brought up the AFL teams because the Dockers and and West Coast have been very successful.
00:28:44
Chris
I mean, probably not the last few years, but they've been, you know, like, like the Eagles have won so many champs, you have won so many premierships, you know, and they fly back and forth, you know, with no issues at all.
00:28:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay.
00:28:55
Chris
And actually the research will actually show you when you fly from the West Coast to the East Coast,
00:29:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:29:00
Chris
you actually end up playing better because you move time zones earlier. And so when you play, it will your body will, athletes actually play better a little bit later in day, around six o'clock or so. So so if a lot of the games, you know you know, and you go to Melbourne, you go to Sydney and they're in on a Saturday afternoon, that's when they'll do really well. Like, especially that 3 p.m. Saturday game, they'll they'll be a lot better.
00:29:24
Chris
Because compared to everybody who's, you know, the team that plays in Sydney, their their their body clock is at 3 p.m. but the but But the Perth Bears, their body clock be 5 p.m.
00:29:35
Chris
And so they have that slight tackle advantage.
00:29:35
Tackles and Tinnies
nine
00:29:38
Chris
It's something that the NBA players, that they found in that as well. When you go from the West Coast to the East Coast, they win a lot more. Yeah. But it's the opposite when they go the other way.
00:29:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:29:46
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes, true. andm I'm on there right now. So seven but so we're recording at 9.51 a.m. So it's 7.51 a.m. m right now. So, yeah, that's a good point, mate.
00:29:55
Chris
Yeah.
00:29:56
Tackles and Tinnies
It's good point.
00:29:57
Chris
Yeah.
00:29:57
Tackles and Tinnies
didn't think about that. But again, screw commuting. So I'd rather go one hour on floor.
00:30:02
Chris
Yeah.
00:30:04
Tackles and Tinnies
I'd rather go one hour, bro. I'd rather go one hour. But I guess, hey, the New Zealand Warriors, they're very similar. They've got to go. and They've got an international bloody airport.
00:30:10
Chris
yeah yeah
00:30:12
Tackles and Tinnies
So that's their own hurdle on its own there. But yeah, Perth Bears, as signings come around, guys, we'll break the news. And obviously, you've got all the media outlets to do the exact same thing. But well obviously, we'll chuck our two cents
Rugby Innovations and Player Welfare
00:30:23
Tackles and Tinnies
in here and there. But not many signings yet.
00:30:26
Tackles and Tinnies
But I think in the coming... probably coming months before preseason. We'll get some more news in regards to that, especially with guys not getting offered new contracts.
00:30:37
Tackles and Tinnies
So we talked about the Bears. Now I want to talk about speculation of an extended bench.
00:30:42
Chris
Thank
00:30:42
Tackles and Tinnies
And I all love this idea. So currently we have a 17-man team with four people on the bench. And then we have an 18th man. 18th man can only be activated with foul play with HIA, for example, or with, I think, three head highs in a game.
00:31:00
Tackles and Tinnies
I love the idea of having 21 plays or the idea of having 19 plays. I'd love that. Okay. We're getting to the stage now and it really pisses me off that – a second row put it's like a second row going into the centers some guys can do it okay Allah okay well Allah both thermal is it optimal no do they do a job yes are they scoring many tries out of that side no if I was a halfback would I rather pass it to
00:31:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Brian Kelly, probably not, but Brian Kelly or both. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Love you, Brian Kelly. Redemption 2026. But you get the idea. You get the idea.
00:31:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Who would you rather pass to? Okay. I'd rather pass it to a definitive outside bag. Okay. But now with the opportunity with the extended bench, you can get your three middle forwards. You can get an edge back rower. You can get an out-and-out half back.
00:32:04
Tackles and Tinnies
You can get a hooker. You can get a full back. Unreal. Love that idea.
00:32:09
Chris
Ryan, would you like just for the listeners just to explain what this extended bench actually is as well?
00:32:10
Tackles and Tinnies
Thought.
00:32:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay. Yeah, yeah, of course, of course. So 21 plays, and I've definitely seen different variations of this. So for example, if you use a player, they might not be able to come back onto the bench.
00:32:29
Tackles and Tinnies
So for example, if I'm Tino and I come back off, I might not be able to come back on. Don't like that. You might only be able to activate four out of the 21 players.
00:32:40
Chris
Yep.
00:32:41
Tackles and Tinnies
So it's more game plan specific. I like that variation more. So for example, a halfback goes down. Normally the utility player, whether that it's like a hybrid outside back or a hooker, and they normally jump into the halves.
00:32:55
Tackles and Tinnies
But you might have a guy like, let's say, Mitchell Woods or Kobe Black. These young guys coming through at the Raiders or the Dogs,
00:33:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, you get one of these guys coming into the field, but they might not get game time for a specific game. Let's just say, for example, Kobe Black's number 21 on the bench and Saunders and what is Ethan Strange, they don't get injured.
00:33:13
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:33:23
Tackles and Tinnies
Kobe Black won't play that game. However, Saunders goes down. All a sudden, the 21st man comes onto the field. Being Kobe Black, that's a halfback for a halfback. In regard to the game flow, there's not much of a loss. Obviously, the quality of the player, you'd assume that the person starting is better. But at least the tactician and the game plan is going to be relatively the same.
00:33:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Love that. But again, yeah only the variation that I like the most, you have 21 players.
00:33:48
Chris
Thank you.
00:33:51
Tackles and Tinnies
You can only use four of those players.
00:33:53
Chris
Yep.
00:33:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Thought?
00:33:54
Chris
So basically that proposal, what you're saying is to double the interje interchange bench from four players to eight players, and then they just choose four players.
00:34:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes. Yes.
00:34:02
Chris
Yep.
00:34:03
Tackles and Tinnies
So more game specific.
00:34:03
Chris
Yep. And that way, yeah.
00:34:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:34:05
Chris
And you can have a specialist cover for specialist injuries, really.
00:34:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Because you see it all the time.
00:34:08
Chris
Yeah. What do you, huh? but Yeah.
00:34:11
Tackles and Tinnies
You see it all the time in regards like injuries.
00:34:11
Chris
What do you think about the time? yeah Like, what do you think about the idea of, you know, these younger, especially halfbacks, actually, these younger halfbacks, like Kobe Black, who do you think that it's good that they sit on an extended bench and then don't, or do you think that they should be playing more like reserve grade instead?
00:34:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, personally reserve grade.
00:34:28
Chris
you Think about that.
00:34:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Personally reserve grade.
00:34:30
Chris
Yeah.
00:34:31
Tackles and Tinnies
I think youre these guys are probably looking at more like fringy type Q cup players or probably going to be more buried on the bench.
00:34:41
Tackles and Tinnies
But you want your guys who are the next man up type players, e.g. Kobe Black. It could be more a guy like, let's say Broncos. Broncos, for example. You got a guy like Jesse Arthurs.
00:34:53
Tackles and Tinnies
He's been 18th man for like five games in a row. because Carapane took his spot, the perfect outside back replacement for the Broncos on the bench. okay You can get like an older forward, for example.
00:35:05
Tackles and Tinnies
It could be like before Marty Tapao got dropped, for example.
00:35:06
Chris
to
00:35:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Perfect. He's your out-and-out extra forward on the bench. You've got a guy like Josh Rodgers. Okay, he's probably like fifth or sixth in line regards to the halves, but he can do a job and he's not really going to impact the development of a younger player, but he's a guy you can instantly go in and get a job or like a Jock Madden type player.
00:35:33
Tackles and Tinnies
They're a fringy type player, but they're probably number four or five in the depth chart, not the next man up. I think the next man up needs to get reps.
00:35:40
Chris
Yeah.
00:35:42
Chris
Yeah.
00:35:43
Tackles and Tinnies
if they're Especially if they're younger. Maybe if they're middle-aged and they're prime, fair enough, probably don't need it. But yeah, next man up, definitely need... like Young guys definitely need to get development, particularly if you're a half and a fullback, I think, because obviously that linking role.
00:36:00
Tackles and Tinnies
But I heard guys who I've spoken to who are semi-professional, if not professional players, and they're young guys and they get buried on the bench and they don't get minutes.
00:36:11
Tackles and Tinnies
and they would rather Q Cup than get Barry Venture.
00:36:12
Chris
Yep.
00:36:15
Chris
Yep. That's, that's, that's my concern. Yeah. So I think that's actually very measured. Yeah. You don't have, you know, your actual up and coming half, you know, get stuck on the extended bench, but rather, you know, it may be that, you know, the backup to them that gets put on just in case.
00:36:31
Chris
There are a lot of NRL coaches who really, really like this idea for the extend 21-man squad. And, you know, I think Ivan Cleary said something about, like, he thinks that, you know, it'd be good because you could have, like, tactical replacements, you know, based on, like, the game situation. You know, like, you know, it's like, hey, we need an injection of somebody super, super quick.
00:36:51
Chris
you know, all of a sudden, you know, like a Trey Fuller that just randomly comes in. Now you don't have to waste a, I guess, a forward spot, you know, like that. You know, it could be a bit like baseball almost, like where you have like a relief pitcher.
00:36:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Definitely.
00:37:01
Chris
Like, can you can you think of, you know, to put not to put in your spot, can you think of any like situations where like that might be a really, really like good idea, like to inject somebody like that?
00:37:10
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh. but Yeah, mate, look at the final series. You're down six to 10 points, like the Raiders game, for example. got a got let's say Obviously, Reece Walsh came back on, but let's just say, for example, Trey Fuller came on the field with Reece Walsh.
00:37:26
Tackles and Tinnies
You've got those two guys working hand-in-hand.
00:37:27
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:37:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Tell you what, if I'm a defensive line, I'd be shitting bricks if I had to look at Trey Fuller coming on the bench fresh after 60 hard minutes of professional rugby league of 27 rounds. He's the type of guy that it would be great. Dane Laurie, you who you mentioned before, would be fantastic. Yeah, some little... Zippy speed, so like a dry grey for the Rabideaus if he doesn't get starting fullback spot. Yeah.
00:37:52
Tackles and Tinnies
As you said, we talked about you had eight people on the bench and only the four can play. I kind of like the idea of five.
00:37:59
Chris
Yep. Yep. I don't, it' I also don't disagree with that there.
00:38:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. Which is like an 18th man, essentially.
00:38:02
Chris
i know all none of it. there Yeah. Yeah.
00:38:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:38:05
Chris
Actually, yeah. you know And I, and i think that actually makes a lot sense, you know, because, in a game where something's evenly matched, you may not have, there might not be any tactical replacements, you know, something like that. But like in a situation where, you know, you're 30 minutes in and all of a sudden you're running over, you can see that, you know, the opponents forwards are super tired.
00:38:23
Chris
That's, that's a great time to maybe do inject somebody like, you know, a Trey Fuller who probably wouldn't normally play and you stick him in, you know, he'll just find holes everywhere, you know?
00:38:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:38:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:38:32
Chris
So yeah, it's a, it's an interesting proposal. Obviously none of this is confirmed yet, Ryan, but you know,
00:38:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:38:38
Chris
I don't, don't disagree with it, you know? But in terms of, I guess, now, since we're talking about rule changes, if you were, if you were to get a rule change, what rule would you like changed next year for 2026? Do you have Yep.
00:38:54
Tackles and Tinnies
The interchange one has probably been on my mind in the past couple of days, obviously due to the new cycle. We could talk about the dropout rule. We could talk about the kickoff rule. We could talk about the scrum ruling.
00:39:07
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah
00:39:07
Chris
How you like to improve the bunker?
00:39:09
Chris
Do you think we can improve the bunker? Should we give be giving the bunker more more more autonomy or should we be limiting what they do?
00:39:19
Chris
Because I think lot of people have had upset.
00:39:20
Tackles and Tinnies
i think less. I think less.
00:39:21
Chris
Yeah. of people have upset about it.
00:39:21
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't understand. Bro, bring back two refs on the field, personally.
00:39:26
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:39:27
Tackles and Tinnies
why why the Why the hell did we get rid of that? I thought it was pretty good. like And gives less pressure to the other ref. like They can work hand in hand. You look at the NBA, it's a third of the speed, and they've got three refs.
00:39:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Why are you putting so much pressure on one guy? And the sideline guy looking for other things as well. You, li it as a sideline guy, forward pass, and does your foot get back over the line?
00:39:54
Tackles and Tinnies
That's your only job.
00:39:56
Chris
Oh, there have been some real bad ones this year. So when Cobo being out, like I was like, you have one job touch sideline touchy.
00:39:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Bro. Bro.
00:40:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, man... like man
00:40:06
Chris
How can you miss things? but
00:40:08
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't know how many bloody Tigers games, but you probably mentioned it like magic round, but I sit on the sideline, like on the sideline. And when the ref doesn't get it on side or the bloody loyal Titan members, get them on side, touchy.
00:40:17
Chris
Yes.
00:40:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, like that's your job, bro. That's your job. And like, if you get back one guy with the ruck, one guy, just like overseeing everything, like the main officiator.
00:40:33
Tackles and Tinnies
And then you got your sideline guys, why not Why not try it and again anyway? Like what's the heart of trying it again?
00:40:40
Chris
Yeah, I think i think two refs is a great idea because, you know, one of the criticisms, I think, about the bunker that was really just the number of times that they would bring back, they would, you know, the game would have moved on and all of a sudden, and you know,
00:40:53
Chris
you know, the ref blows and being there, oh, there was high contact, you know, like three plays ago, you know, and you just get these unnecessary delays and, you know, and one of the chrisms would be, I guess, you know, if the ref didn't miss all the, you know, all the foul plays, we wouldn't have to have the bunker, you know, coming in, you know, to hold players accountable.
00:41:09
Chris
But, you know, having two refs makes just makes it so much easier, just way less pressure.
00:41:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:41:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:41:13
Chris
Yeah.
00:41:13
Chris
I like that one a lot. Yeah.
00:41:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Would you, what would you say, Chris?
00:41:18
Chris
i i would I would love to get rid of the penalty milking by a lot of players.
00:41:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Harry Grant.
00:41:24
Chris
If I could change a rule, I would say...
00:41:27
Chris
if feel like if you stay down after play, after you get tackled and you're hoping that the bunker gives you penalty for slightly high contact, I think they're allowed review it, but you have to go off on HIA automatically for 10 or 15 minutes.
00:41:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, love that.
00:41:43
Chris
That's it. you know I would stop people from just diving. That one, that one just frustrates me a lot because, you know, you know, it's a tough game, you know, why are why are we, you know, we pretend to be tough.
00:41:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:41:54
Chris
And then at the same time, we're running high milk penalties. Nah, I don't like it. you You can't have it both ways.
00:41:58
Tackles and Tinnies
I love that. Even like a five-minute, like you're being a naughty boy, you got to time out for five minutes.
00:42:04
Chris
Yeah, actually, yeah, five minutes. Yeah. Also, oh yeah, was thinking of
00:42:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Would you find him or would you rather time off the field?
00:42:12
Chris
I think time off the field cause that really matters to the team and then coaches will stamp it up quickly.
00:42:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes. Agreed.
00:42:22
Chris
i the pen I think, for example, once again, Harry Grant, I think he makes a bit too much money to be worried about, you know, a small fine, you know. Obviously, at least he's racked up massively, you know, and all of a sudden it's really affecting his hip pocket, you know.
00:42:35
Tackles and Tinnies
A compound or something, yeah.
00:42:36
Chris
Yeah, yeah.
00:42:36
Tackles and Tinnies
That's
00:42:37
Chris
It it affects it affects some fringe players a lot more, the fines, than the players who who make a lot more money and the superstars, and it's often the superstars who get away with it, you know.
00:42:41
Tackles and Tinnies
true.
00:42:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:42:49
Chris
Again, Melvin Storm.
00:42:49
Tackles and Tinnies
That's
00:42:50
Chris
Yeah.
00:42:52
Tackles and Tinnies
why Craig Bellamy is one of the goats, mate. You didn't mention him in top coaches, but bloody hell, he's probably new Maroon.
00:42:56
Chris
it
00:42:59
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, i if it's not the... The ref rule, it's not the extended bench rule, mate, yeah, I agree with you. I didn't even think about that. That definitely was really prevalent throughout the 2025 season.
00:43:13
Tackles and Tinnies
I think I agree, though. Maybe a five-minute time off, get off the field, you're being a silly bugger, that hurts the team more. And then the boys will get pissed off at you too. Like, what are you doing, mate?
00:43:23
Chris
Yeah.
00:43:24
Tackles and Tinnies
You're letting down our team.
00:43:26
Tackles and Tinnies
And...
00:43:26
Chris
Yeah.
00:43:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:43:26
Chris
Five more than 10 is better.
00:43:27
Chris
Actually. I like that. Yeah. The five is great. Yeah.
00:43:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. because obviously like a bit more distinctive, it's like, it's enough to be annoying and like hurt the team, but it's not enough where it's going to like, hopefully not change the game too much.
00:43:40
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe one try gets scored, but that's again, that's enough, as you said, with the team aspect to hopefully deter these sort of things.
00:43:43
Chris
Yeah.
00:43:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, and I agree with the fine situation. Like guys who are maybe on $90,000 to $110,000, like as a beginning player, that's going to be more detrimental to the guy. Like, yeah, your top guns making over a million dollars, definitely.
00:44:03
Tackles and Tinnies
I saw the other day on one of the podcasts i listened to, it's $420,000 is the average salary.
00:44:03
Chris
Yeah. Like,
00:44:09
Tackles and Tinnies
So $420,000 is the average salary, how much would you have to charge a fine like that, you reckon, do you think, on the spot?
00:44:17
Chris
well, that's exactly right.
00:44:19
Tackles and Tinnies
10 grand, 5 grand.
00:44:19
Chris
Like, yeah, I don't know how punitive you have to be. Yeah. It's hard for me put a dollar value on it, but it just reminds me a story. from the NBA, the Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, he used to talk about being on the bench a lot, you know, just being a fringe player, you know, for the Bulls and, you know, whenever like Michael Jordan used to get into a thing, you know, and then all the, you know, and the whole bench would have to come off, you know, just to support him you know, but it'd be like an $8,000 fine. And he's like, he's like, I don't have that type of money to be walking off the bench, but you've got to support your worries. He's like, and every time I'd get off, get up off my chair and just walk out onto the court, he's like, well, there goes 8K. Yeah.
00:44:57
Chris
and That was like in 1998.
00:44:58
Tackles and Tinnies
That's crazy.
00:45:00
Tackles and Tinnies
That's actually crazy.
00:45:01
Chris
So.
00:45:04
Tackles and Tinnies
I was crazy a lot back then.
00:45:05
Chris
Yeah.
00:45:06
Chris
well yeah yeah i think
00:45:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Now obviously to with inflation, but like that's crazy. For the boys, but for the boys.
00:45:12
Chris
yeah exactly right yeah
00:45:15
Tackles and Tinnies
So yeah, we'll see with with the 21-man change. I don't think it will happen next year, but maybe when the the Perth Bears come in, we can rediscuss that one. But definitely one to watch. But guys, if you have a rule change that you think is really good that we can discuss about or have your two cents on, please, guys, chuck it in. We'll rehash that next time we are do some one of these segments.
00:45:37
Tackles and Tinnies
So, Chris, you've already sort of mentioned to me in the green room about the Ashes series and how, let's say, lackluster it was. But the Pacific Nations, mate,
00:45:48
Tackles and Tinnies
I thought that was pretty good. Tonga let us down a little bit. There's some bloody, some sketchy things we could talk about in regards to Elie Katoa. Man, no, it's so upsetting to hear that he's going to be out the entire year for Supercoach.
00:46:02
Tackles and Tinnies
No, for Melbourne Storm, and obviously, he's healthy.
00:46:06
Chris
Yeah, we're sad about that too.
00:46:06
Tackles and Tinnies
hi Kidding, kidding, kidding.
00:46:07
Chris
i Mostly sort of a coach first.
00:46:09
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah Yeah, proven gun gone. But no, definitely our thoughts and prayers of Elie Katoa. I think where to start was may as well quickly talk about that.
00:46:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you know exactly what happened with that situation with the head knocks?
00:46:25
Chris
Yeah, I mean, only only based on what I've read in the media, really.
00:46:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:46:30
Chris
You know, the idea that, you know, he had three separate head knocks during that test against New Zealand and he was allowed back on the field and he had seizures. And as a result, he's had to have emergency brain surgery. And yeah and like you said, unfortunately, he's not going to be playing next season, which I think is, which makes a lot of sense. Yeah, which is, it's disappointing it's happened like that because, you know, the NRL has made such good,
00:46:55
Chris
great strides to really go, Hey, we need to protect the head and things like that. And sometimes, well, you know, but I also say, but you know, sometimes, you know, mistakes happen, unfortunately, and errors happen. And, you know, as much as, you know, we try to do the best we can, you know, outliers occur really like, yeah. What did you think?
00:47:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, I think the issue is Off the replay, when I jumped onto that game, I think it was Tonga versus Samoa, Lehigh Hoppawadi jumps up pregame and whacks him in the head, and instantly there was signs of concussion.
00:47:27
Tackles and Tinnies
The whiplash of the neck, the eyes sort of rolling back, instant puffing of the face, like probably maybe a bit dodgy, and then another head knock in the game, sort of like dusted it off, and then bang, the last one was the the knockout blow.
00:47:40
Chris
Thank
00:47:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Pre-game, when you saw that in the green room before the kickoff started, I'm like, he's gone. Like, Elie Katoa's not playing. And then I see him in the lineup. I'm like, how's that even happen?
00:47:57
Tackles and Tinnies
It's kind of embarrassing, to be honest. Like, that one was so obviously... head knock and like a concussion or probably more sinister than that with that first shot.
00:48:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it's a bad, bad look for the game and the people who are involved in the diagnosis or the the screening of Ellie definitely need yeah, probably pull their finger out a little bit. I think their due deal is the due diligence and duty of care was not there. I'm no physio. I'm no doctor. I'm no specialist.
00:48:29
Tackles and Tinnies
But I saw one screenshot video rolled for three seconds. I'm like, concussion or head knock, should not be playing.
00:48:36
Chris
Yeah. So Ryan, I didn't watch the game, but are you telling me on the coverage at the pregame, like you you saw, you saw it.
00:48:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Thought.
00:48:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Pre-game, pre-kickoff.
00:48:45
Chris
Okay. Wow.
00:48:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:48:46
Chris
Yeah. Because I, because wow.
00:48:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Like fully like this, boom, whiplash.
00:48:50
Chris
Okay. Because sometimes like, you know, like, you know, you know pet and cat i was wondering I was thinking perhaps maybe just medical staff just did not see that occur you know at at warm-up and you know and nobody reported it. But for you to say that it was on the live coverage and viewers saw it.
00:49:09
Chris
Yeah, that that is that's crazy.
00:49:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Poor, mate. Poor.
00:49:11
Chris
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:49:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, super poor. But...
00:49:14
Chris
Yeah. and
00:49:15
Tackles and Tinnies
It was disappointing with the LA situation, obviously Melbourne Storm, and he's going to be out for the entire year for 2026, which is disappointing. But more importantly, we wish LA and his immediate family and his brothers at the Melbourne Storm all the best. And we're hoping he comes back healthy, ready to rock and roll for 2027, sneaky twenty twenty six
00:49:38
Chris
And because, Ryan, i I must admit, I did not watch very much of the Ashes and Pacific Nations Cup. Would you like to explain to the listeners what happened? And would you like to, you know, say, how did you think it went?
00:49:51
Chris
You like you know, which which country did good?
00:49:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:49:54
Chris
Who did you like?
00:49:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, do you want me to start with the the the better comp or the worst comp first?
00:49:55
Chris
Did you like, how did you Dylan Brown? How did he go? We'll worse to good. Let's go worse first.
00:50:03
Tackles and Tinnies
and Okay. Definitely the Ashes series. Personally, I think the Australians are over there probably jumping on a Contiki tour and just having a good time.
00:50:12
Tackles and Tinnies
So
00:50:13
Chris
yeah and and and And they just played a bit of rugby on the side as well.
00:50:16
Tackles and Tinnies
literally playing rugby league on the side.
00:50:16
Chris
Yeah, tackles a bit clunky, eh?
00:50:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Bro, game one, obviously with the them being in England, it was at like 1am, 2am or like midnight. No chance. Mr. Firehawk has gone to bed at 9 o'clock at the latest. So I didn't get to watch any game live. I'd either be watching a replay, which is disappointing, or I'd get the news real informing. I don't really like looking at the game once I know the score, which means have to watch the highlights, which I generally did for that type of contest.
00:50:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Game one, AJ Brimson did not play. What? Like, if he's not starting at fullback, he should be at five eight If he's not at 5'8", he should at least be accompanying Herbie Farnworth in the centres.
00:51:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Gobsmacked, speechless, all the above.
00:51:05
Chris
Still not a center, mate. As you said on his Instagram.
00:51:07
Tackles and Tinnies
or not extent He's something, mate, but he was 18th man. That just baffled me. He's probably one of their best players besides Herbie Farnworth. For England, disappointing, obviously.
00:51:19
Tackles and Tinnies
good news views Good news for you overall, Chris. For West Tigers, Kai Pierce-Paul, which we'll be talking about in the reviews in future episodes for the West Tigers. But I thought Kai Pierce-Paul at an international level, he looked very solid and be a great addition in the second row running off Jerome Lewis' hip, more than likely. so yeah, Kai Pierce-Paul was good.
00:51:40
Tackles and Tinnies
Herbie Farnworth, solid. But Australia is just a different beast, mate. Like, their attack was clunky at the best of times and looked very disjointed. Again, it's like an all-star roster for the NBA. It's just get the best players and hopefully they stick.
00:51:55
Tackles and Tinnies
That's essentially what it was. Yeah, Herbie Farmworth just couldn't get any good ball. Like, it's just, what can you say?
00:52:00
Chris
Thank you.
00:52:02
Tackles and Tinnies
At the Dolphins, he had Isaiah Katoa give him in good space and then he's versing Again, maybe some top-line players, maybe some developing players, maybe some second-rollers like both are more defending. Australia's got their best overall team. You've got both Broncos' centres.
00:52:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Addo Carr was absolutely unbelievable. Back to prime Fox mode. Love to see that. Yeah, I thought the overall, Recy Walsh, rocks and diamonds. He's back to old standard there. But again, he's on Contiki Tour. He doesn't care. He was having a vibe. I thought Nathan Cleary was quiet, very quiet.
00:52:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, speculation and conversation continues regarding his rep career.
00:52:45
Chris
right.
00:52:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Is he just a club player? But again, you have... 12 other players on the field with Cleary. Cleary's just doing his role. So no harm, no foul in my eyes. I thought he steered the ship quite well. Great e game as always.
00:53:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Reese Walsh, rocks and diamonds. I thought Cameron Munster was very, very good in patches. Again, he's that yin to the yang to Cleary where Cleary is very methodical. Munster's just eyes up football.
00:53:14
Tackles and Tinnies
thought the forwards are pretty good overall. I thought Keon was dynamic. From memory, again, Rabideau is going paying big bickies
Controversies and Performance Analysis
00:53:21
Tackles and Tinnies
to keep him. Again, we'll have that in the Rabideau's review, but I'm hearing murmurs over $1 million dollars for Keon. And if he continues his form at front row, don't hate it at all.
00:53:31
Tackles and Tinnies
i thought, who else is good? Paddy Carrigan. I thought he was very solid as always. Tino, again, strong through the middle. Now, Harry Grant. I thought he was a bit rocks and diamonds. I didn't think he was spectacular.
00:53:46
Tackles and Tinnies
And we'll get straight into the golden boot, which just got announced a couple of days ago. so it's December 3rd now. i think got announced two days ago on December 11th or something similar.
00:53:58
Tackles and Tinnies
But Harry Grant, out of nowhere, won the golden boot award. So last year, Keanu Keeney, I thought he was unreal by far, visually outstanding. He won.
00:54:11
Tackles and Tinnies
This year, before we dissect the PAC championships, Dylan Brown, stats alone, mate, stats alone, absolutely unreal.
00:54:16
Chris
I don't
00:54:20
Tackles and Tinnies
And then the man of the series was Cameron Munster, but didn't get the golden boot. How does that work, Chris?
00:54:34
Chris
I don't know. don't know. i don't know i dont know
00:54:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, i actually don't get it. Like, how did the guy get man of the series and then not get the golden boot? And he one thing he wasn't was shortlisted. Like, it actually didn't make sense. I'm just going to get this stat from random stats guy regarding the golden boot. Okay, yeah, I've got it here.
00:54:56
Tackles and Tinnies
So, Harry Grant, this was the stats for the Ashes. One try, zero try assists, 116 tackles, two hundred and forty eight meters Recy Walsh scored four tries, zero assists, 13 tackle breaks, 460 metres.
00:55:14
Tackles and Tinnies
And then Dylan Brown, which we'll talk about shortly, got three tries, seven assists, 19 tackle breaks, 476 metres. If I didn't say those names, you'd probably be leaning towards the third player, which was Dylan Brown with those three tries, seven assists, 19 tackle breaks, and the 476 run metres.
00:55:35
Tackles and Tinnies
We could talk about the contests with Pack Nations in regarding to the level of competition. I thought Tonga was disappointing overall, but obviously New Zealand top tier and their four pack alone is absolutely unbelievable, which obviously helped him.
00:55:53
Tackles and Tinnies
But again, Tonga and Samoa had very, very, very good four packs as well. Dylan Brand dissected them. He looked methodical. He was running off... One-man show of Kieran Thorne. Where was that all year, mate? To tell you what. And then Keanu Keeney getting injected back into the team in game two and game three. I thought he was absolutely unbelievable.
00:56:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Big loss to the Titans. But again, we'll go through that in our mini pods soon. But again, Golden Boot winner. Yeah, Harry Grant. Don't get it.
00:56:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Don't get it. And I was looking at a quote this morning, actually doing some research for the pod. And he was like, I'm honored to, I'm just paraphrasing you obviously, but I'm honored to win this award. It's prestigious. So many good players before me have won this award. Disappointed that other deserving players didn't get this, however.
00:56:27
Chris
Yeah.
00:56:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Something along those lines, which is quite evident. Obviously, I'm... For a lot of other content creators on social media and they're putting up polls in regards to who they people think to win, Dylan Brown is like 85% plus on every single poll. So the people think that, the content creators think that, Harry Grant may be thinking that without saying that.
00:57:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, I'd be feeling pretty dirty if I was Dylan Brown. Thoughts?
00:57:17
Chris
Yeah, look, it sounds like, you know, even though i didn't deserve it the people know who should have won Golden Boot. And from based on what Harry said, it sounds like he he kind of knows. He feels a bit sheepish too about winning it, if you read between the lines.
00:57:35
Tackles and Tinnies
Crazy. Like, yeah, just don't get it. But we may as well, okay, Ashes, I'll give it a grade.
00:57:40
Chris
Yeah.
00:57:43
Tackles and Tinnies
I'll probably give it a C. It was a pass. It was awesome that it's like the first time in like 20-something years, maybe longer.
00:57:45
Chris
Yeah.
00:57:49
Tackles and Tinnies
I can't remember off the top my head. It's great they've sort of re-engaged that. But Australia is so far ahead of England. I think the level of competition is just not there.
00:58:01
Tackles and Tinnies
I'd love to see Australia and New Zealand and Australia versus Tonga and Australia versus Samoa more often, but we can't get that all the time with the pack nations. And again, there's like a rotating roster.
00:58:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Can we expand it to five teams and somehow include England? Potentially. Logistics, obviously, is a different issue. A lot of things to discuss. We could talk about this for half an hour if we wanted to, but we will move on to the Packed Nations because I want to give the roses to Dylan Brown because he deserved it. After a horrendous year at the Parramatta Eels,
00:58:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Signing that monster offer, which we've already dissected on Tackles and Tinnies in previous episodes. We were a bit hesitant, but we knew the upside, obviously, Chris. And this is what he can show. And this is what he can prove. If he's got good players, good culture, and people who believe him, Daliem, 5A to the potential.
00:58:55
Tackles and Tinnies
That's his upside.
00:58:56
Chris
Wow, big call, big call.
00:58:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, he might be half back.
00:58:59
Chris
a
00:59:00
Tackles and Tinnies
He might be somewhere else in between.
00:59:01
Chris
yeah
00:59:01
Tackles and Tinnies
you played centre for the Parramatta Eels end of the year, which i actually don't hate.
00:59:02
Chris
yeah yeah
00:59:05
Tackles and Tinnies
like hey He's actually pretty good there. hu right
00:59:08
Chris
Yeah, he's he's he's very suited to playing the centres too. Yeah.
00:59:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. But the New Zealand four pack, so obviously fast forwarding a little bit to the World Cup and sort of obviously back and forth Pack Nations. My God, they're going scary.
00:59:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Their four-pack of Fisher-Harris, Leota, Tarpane, Nakoda, Xavier Willison. You got Jordan Rickey in the the flanks there. I'm missing the other second role, which is really annoying me, but absolutely done.
00:59:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, scary, scary, scary team, New Zealand. Next year, they're going to get Jerome Hughes back instead of Kieran Foran. That's bit an upgrade. You could probably think there.
00:59:49
Chris
you
00:59:50
Tackles and Tinnies
And yeah, I thought Samoa, I thought they were very valiant in their efforts. No Stephen Criard in their captain, their emotional leader. He wasn't there. But I thought Roger Tuovasashek at fullback, very admirable over there. I thought he did a very good job.
01:00:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Just their halves, mate. You got your rocks and diamond at 5'8 from the Penrith Panthers. Names playing Blaze Talangi, 420 Blaze.
01:00:15
Tackles and Tinnies
He was only going to get better. Again, Jerome Luai, I thought he was solid without being excellent. Again, being a different role at halfback. the end of the he was playing 5'8 for the Tigers. I thought he was good.
01:00:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, emotional leader, provides that oomph, but a guy like Steven Croydon, I think they definitely missed him.
01:00:26
Chris
Thank you.
01:00:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Their forward pack, I thought Junior Polo, he was almost their best player. don't know if you saw many of the highlights, mate, but my God, he was good. He was like prime Jason Tamalolo.
01:00:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Like that's how good he was. Yeah, he looked like he was five years younger. Like go watch some highlights, mate. And if you guys haven't seen it, go watch the Samoan highlights. I thought Junior Polo was one of their best.
01:00:55
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, moving forward, you got Hammer coming in next year for the World Cup. Steven Crichton's probably going to be back from injury, obviously. Tino Fassu Malawi might be there. Payne Haas came across this year.
01:01:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Mate, it's going to be tough. It's going to be a three-horse race, I reckon. If Tino goes across... Big, big, big news. Obviously, you can put Hammer at fullback.
01:01:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Tuvasa Shek back to the wing with Brian To'o. Like, that's pretty crazy, man.
01:01:23
Chris
Thank you.
01:01:24
Tackles and Tinnies
It's going to be very, very scary. Tonga, they missed Hamole Olakowatu. He was injured, obviously. They lost Eli Katoa. I thought Lehigh was good without being excellent.
01:01:36
Tackles and Tinnies
That's the debate. He's very, like, solid without being fantastic. I like him more as a winger. Chris, I really do. I'm i'm seeing more and more in him at fullback.
01:01:48
Tackles and Tinnies
And i was just saying to myself and my dad we're upstairs watching the game, why don't they put Kula at fullback? He just has more X factor. Kula is that guy who's, you give him the ball, he's got so much strength in contact and he's so fast off the mark, off the like 20 to 40 meters.
01:02:08
Tackles and Tinnies
I think that's the upside play for Tonga next year. Will they do it? Probably not. Would that be the difference of them getting from the quarterfinals to the final?
01:02:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe. Thoughts on that?
01:02:21
Chris
Yeah, in terms of that, I think it depends probably a lot this next year what Manly do. If they decide to put Lehigh at fullback when Tommy's not there, then I think that Tommy will just follow that as well.
01:02:39
Chris
And if they don't and they decide to put Kula there, they may do so, you know, but I agree with you. he's He's very electric.
01:02:50
Chris
He rips teams apart in a very different way to Lehigh. You know, Lehigh is very predictable, but very, very, you know, dependable as well, you know, and yeah, it's that X factor that Quill has.
01:03:01
Tackles and Tinnies
For me, mate, it's literally Dylan Edwards and Lehigh are like the similar player.
01:03:02
Chris
Yeah.
01:03:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Is Dylan Edwards good?
01:03:07
Chris
Yeah, actually, i would I would agree with that.
01:03:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Obviously, Dylan Edwards is better.
01:03:09
Chris
Actually, yeah, that's actually really good. Yeah, it's very good.
01:03:11
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm not fighting Dylan Edwards. But in terms of like comp, very similar in terms their play style, is Dylan Edwards going to win you a series?
01:03:12
Chris
Yes. Yeah.
01:03:16
Chris
Yeah, the way they play.
01:03:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Potentially. He's going to score you some tries. He's going to be really good in defense and talk. That's Dylan Edwards, obviously.
01:03:24
Chris
Yeah.
01:03:25
Tackles and Tinnies
But would I rather race Walsh or fullback? Yes. I would rather release a ree fo fullback. And that's why Dylan Edwards did not play one minute for the Ashes series. Again, I think Kula. Again, think Tonga, they've fallen back a bit.
01:03:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Isaiah Katoa, I thought he was quite quiet as well. Again, second year syndrome in regards to a huge Pac Nations last year. Will he improve?
01:03:51
Chris
Yeah.
01:03:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Definitely. i thought their hooker situation when Sonny Luke out of nowhere, I thought he was quite good, quite a bit of attack. These guys like Kavili and stuff, they're pretty much a front row playing at hooker. So don't really like that.
01:04:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, time will tell, mate. Time will tell. I think definitely they need a bit more X factor in their squad. They lacked points.
01:04:16
Chris
Yeah, that was an amazing review, actually, of of of international in International Rugby League, actually, since September.
01:04:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Broken a bar, step aside, tackle continues coming in.
01:04:28
Chris
But before we move on, rating or grading for the Pac-Nations Cup?
01:04:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, okay. If I gave a c to the Ashes, m I'd probably say... B plus.
01:04:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Tonga was a letdown. I thought when we got to Samoa, New Zealand, both their contests, they did play twice. Both games fantastic. They're always in the A bracket for sure.
01:04:53
Chris
Yeah.
01:04:54
Tackles and Tinnies
And they're only going to get better. So...
01:04:56
Chris
Yeah. Anyways. And I guess before we kind of just wrap up and everything feeling like that, you want to, since it's silly season, do you want to make some silly predictions for 2026?
Predictions and Speculations for 2026
01:05:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, yes, please, please, please, please. So we got here, biggest riser and faller. Okay. For me personally, biggest riser, maybe some bias and over-optimization. And I know my students are probably going to rip me when they see this, but the biggest riser is the mighty Gold Coast Titans.
01:05:29
Chris
Yeah.
01:05:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, they're going.
01:05:30
Chris
Yeah.
01:05:31
Tackles and Tinnies
I'll tell you what, mate. They can't come last, surely.
01:05:34
Chris
yeah
01:05:34
Tackles and Tinnies
They're coming last.
01:05:35
Chris
yeah
01:05:37
Tackles and Tinnies
I met Josh Hanna at this sports lunch the other week.
01:05:37
Chris
a
01:05:39
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm like, mate, I've been a Titans member almost my entire life, but one year. So I'm almost a foundation member. yeah almost a foundation member Josh, do not let He's like...
01:05:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Didn't say my name. He's like, mate, don't worry. We've got you. I'm like, that's wanted to hear. what I wanted hear. But yes, Biden's biggest riser, definitely.
01:05:57
Chris
you Yep.
01:06:00
Tackles and Tinnies
what's Who's your biggest riser?
01:06:00
Chris
Yep. Oh, look, I would love to say the Tigers, you know, but the recent boardroom debacle that have occurred, my God, we're going to be talked about a whole lot on and NRL 360 in 2026.
01:06:11
Chris
and Look, honestly, it has to be, in my view, it it has to be the Rabideaus, you know, just the all-time injury-wise that they had, you know, and now they've just got an embarrassment of riches, you know, they're, you know, giant great. all We talked about this on Tackles and Tinnies, you know, earlier this year, but, you know, they you know,
01:06:28
Chris
now they've got David Fafida as well coming in there. And if he can, you know, if he can go, you know, if he can really, really, you know, you know, you know, work everything out, you know, with his body and everything that, yeah, they're going to be a top eight team for sure.
01:06:41
Chris
For sure. Yeah.
01:06:42
Tackles and Tinnies
It's been three years in a row now with the Rabideaus of them being injured without diving too much into it because we're going to do our mini pods there. Who's your projected fullback for the Rabbitohs?
01:06:55
Chris
Oh, I think it's Jay Gray. I think it's he's so good. He's too good to be a utility on the bench. He just can't do that. And if you if you and if you do that, he will he'll leave.
01:07:07
Chris
like Like, you know, especially, you know, just once again, you know, if Jareem Buller leaves us, you know, we we're going to be throwing big money. Lots of teams going throwing big money at him. He's such a great player.
01:07:18
Tackles and Tinnies
I believe he just re-signed.
01:07:18
Chris
Yeah. Oh, really? Okay.
01:07:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes. Big money contract.
01:07:23
Chris
Well, therefore, he has to...
01:07:23
Tackles and Tinnies
I'll see if I can find it
01:07:26
Tackles and Tinnies
it. But, yeah.
01:07:26
Chris
Well, look, yeah, well, as you as you're looking for it, yeah, no, well, yeah, well, if you sign big money, they clearly think, you know, he's going to be their you know their fullback and, you know, and Latrell, you know, he can play anywhere, you know, actually. Yeah, I don't want to go too much into it, but poor Talos Duncan. He just wants to play second row and and lock in, you know, you get these, like you know, David comes in, you know, Cam Murray's there, you know, now he wants to play. So he's like, okay, i'll play center. And, and you know, Latrell was like, okay, I've got to play that left center now. So he's... There's no space for Tails Duncan.
01:08:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Talis Duncan. Mate, he's starting second row, Talis Duncan.
01:08:02
Chris
film Yeah.
01:08:04
Tackles and Tinnies
funny well We won't ruin that.
01:08:04
Chris
He should be. He should be.
01:08:06
Tackles and Tinnies
We'll keep our little sneaky secrets there. But it's saying 2027, I believe.
01:08:09
Chris
Yeah. And... Yep. Okay. Very good. Well done, Jai Gray. Get that, get that cash.
01:08:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:08:16
Chris
Who do you think will be the biggest faller this year?
01:08:19
Chris
Who do you think is going to underperform this year? I know this is going to bite us all on the, on the butt at the end of next year when we're all completely wrong.
01:08:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:08:26
Chris
Who do you think?
01:08:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Clip us up. Clip us All right. I'll have a quick look at the ladder.
01:08:31
Chris
Okay. Whilst you're looking at it then, I'll tell you mine.
01:08:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:08:34
Chris
i think it probably might be the Raiders really.
01:08:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, I'm actually thinking the same thing.
01:08:37
Chris
I, Like I think, you know, Jamal Fogarty gone, you know, new halfback, there might be a little second year syndrome. You know, I recall few of their wins last year just came from these amazing last minute, you know, tries, you know, round five against the Sharkies.
01:08:51
Chris
I think Seb, remember Seb Chris had like that, you know, great team try. I can't remember how it happened. Anyways, like pretty much every player touched the ball and it went from left to right.
01:08:58
Tackles and Tinnies
That was unreal.
01:09:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:09:00
Chris
Yeah, exactly right.
01:09:01
Chris
And then, It may be hard to replicate that this year. Like, I still think they're going to a top 18 for sure. It's just that, you know, in terms of the biggest four, they may drop from one to maybe six or something like that. So that's what I think.
01:09:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Raiders, they're probably going to be a top eight team still, you think, but you don't see them jumping. Yeah, he won't be first next year. Like, Jamal Fogginy is obviously awesome.
01:09:22
Chris
Jamal Fogarty.
01:09:23
Tackles and Tinnies
It's just such a variable, man. Like, hardback is such a pivotal position.
01:09:25
Chris
Yeah.
01:09:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Does Saunders or Kobe Black keep them a ship?
01:09:27
Chris
Exactly right.
01:09:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, you'd think everyone else in their roster is getting better besides, like,
01:09:37
Tackles and Tinnies
some of their older fellas, but like that's minimal. Very, very minimal.
01:09:40
Chris
Yeah, yeah. and you know And they've literally, and, you know, them and the Broncos, they have the best forward pack, you know, in the entire NRL competition for sure, you know.
01:09:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:09:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Cowboys, Wooden Spoon, thoughts?
01:09:51
Chris
oh i
01:09:53
Chris
so actually I i think that if they can just if they can just defend a little bit better than last year, you know, they've got so much attack, you know, and they and they win games based just because they can just outscore opposition teams, you know.
01:10:07
Chris
I can't see them winning the wooden spoon next year at all, you know.
01:10:10
Tackles and Tinnies
All right. Spoon projection then.
01:10:12
Tackles and Tinnies
This
01:10:12
Chris
Oh.
01:10:13
Chris
I don't
01:10:16
Tackles and Tinnies
is hard, bro. This is actually really hard.
01:10:17
Chris
i don't want to do this one.
01:10:19
Tackles and Tinnies
This is hard.
01:10:20
Chris
can we do Can we do who wins the grand final instead? People are going to hate us.
01:10:23
Tackles and Tinnies
oh
01:10:27
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't think Newcastle is going to be as bad as they were.
01:10:28
Chris
a
01:10:30
Tackles and Tinnies
i don't think they're coming last.
01:10:32
Chris
No, they had just an awful season last year. Just things, just nothing went right for them.
01:10:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Mate, there's just a clump of teams who could just... They're one injury away from falling off a cliff or like if you're healthy, you're borderline top eight.
01:10:42
Chris
Yep.
01:10:46
Tackles and Tinnies
like All these teams have this upside, which is unreal.
01:10:47
Chris
Yep. Yep.
01:10:49
Tackles and Tinnies
if You want Trent's parity through the lead. Knights, I think they're going to be better. Ponga, he had like the worst season of his career. You've got Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharp coming back.
01:11:01
Tackles and Tinnies
I think they're going to be better. Dragons, I think Dragons.
01:11:04
Chris
Yeah, that's what was going to think. I'm so sorry, Dagen fans. if some We're just going to say you guys. Pretty much wrong.
01:11:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Money man to a pelotter, mate.
01:11:12
Chris
Pretty much wrong.
01:11:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Money man to a pelotter.
01:11:14
Chris
yeah.
01:11:15
Tackles and Tinnies
That's all I'm saying. But, yeah, don't know, man. Like, Gutho's looking pretty slow. So, fullback's such a pivotal position.
01:11:22
Chris
yeah
01:11:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Like, you got Grant Atkinson going there. He's playing halfback. Flanagan's still playing in the halves. King Tonga's maybe got a sniff, but Kyle Flanagan's never going to get dropped because of his dad's there. Yeah.
01:11:38
Chris
Yeah.
01:11:39
Tackles and Tinnies
don't know. It's tough. Yeah, I'm going to say I'm putting money on it.
01:11:40
Chris
Yeah.
01:11:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Dragons, Wooden Spoon, Raiders' biggest faller, Titans' biggest riser, and my project projection and prediction for the Broncos to be the number one team with the grand final.
01:11:59
Chris
Oh, I think it's the Panthers. Casey McLean, Tommy Jenkins, Blaze, they're all year older, you know, that's it's a very good back line, you know, the only issue is, you know, Isaac Tongo, if he just can just regain some of the form that he added a few years ago, you know, it's a very hard debate, you know, and that forward pack is always going to be good, you know, yeah, that's what I think, you know.
01:12:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Back to back. It's
01:12:06
Tackles and Tinnies
true.
01:12:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:12:22
Tackles and Tinnies
So grand final prediction then, you got?
01:12:25
Chris
Oh, I think, I reckon Panthers versus Broncos, you know, Cleary to do Cleary things. just Just to cause more more trauma to the and to the Bronx.
01:12:37
Chris
but
01:12:37
Tackles and Tinnies
That's crazy. That's crazy. So I've got ChatGPT to get their team of the year, and we'll give a bit of cap of fact prediction here, Chris.
01:12:49
Tackles and Tinnies
So ChatGPT has predicted the team of the year, the fullback being Reece Walsh, cap of fact.
01:12:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Cap, who you got, bro?
01:12:56
Chris
No, fact, fact, fact, sorry, sorry.
01:12:57
Tackles and Tinnies
I was about to say.
01:12:59
Chris
Look, I'm, I'm, I'll, I just got my, I got my lingos mixed up.
01:13:04
Tackles and Tinnies
yes
01:13:05
Chris
Fact, facts. Oh,
01:13:07
Tackles and Tinnies
you and Gary exactly the same mate who's your contender so you've got Walshy being the winner there who would be the probably the primary contender for him Tedesco Kennedy Kennedy
01:13:16
Chris
I reckon, I reckon it'll be, I reckon it'll be something like, Just because I feel Dallier is just being, no, like, oh, yeah, yeah, Tedesco, somebody like a Will Kennedy, Jai Gray or something of that.
01:13:28
Chris
No, it just, like, isn't, like, my thing with, like, the team of the year, right, is just that it's people who just don't get injured and just dependable and they just always play, right?
01:13:33
Tackles and Tinnies
it's true
01:13:35
Tackles and Tinnies
That's true.
01:13:35
Chris
So that's how, like, you sometimes you get, like, you know, random people who aren't always necessarily the best, like, they don't have the best, but, like, hey, they're just great players.
01:13:41
Chris
So, you know, you know, I think Will Kennedy was, like, leading it, like, you know, 10 rounds in.
01:13:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:13:46
Chris
And so it was, like, Jai Gray last year or this year.
01:13:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:13:48
Chris
Yeah, that's what I think, you
01:13:51
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. going to say fact, definitely fact, Rhys Walsh. Now, wingers, this is Smokey, and he's probably not even guaranteed a spot, but Cobbo, which I don't mind, is going to be outside Herbie Farmworth.
01:14:03
Tackles and Tinnies
And Brian To'o, cap or fact?
01:14:09
Chris
Hard for Cobo, I think. I don't know. Like you said, he he might have not even started, really. But for Anto, I'd say, yeah, definitely facts for sure.
01:14:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. Who's your main contender then? Like you got your your coats. Lomax is obviously not there anymore, so it takes the position away.
01:14:29
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. I'll say coat, really.
01:14:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Look at the team.
01:14:34
Chris
Wingers are just not a much... I just can't think of any other wingers at the moment. Yeah.
01:14:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Like Raiders, they're probably haven't got like Savage. He's not going to be there. Storm, you've got Coates. Bulldogs, they've sort of like younger fellas.
01:14:50
Chris
Yeah.
01:14:51
Tackles and Tinnies
Broncos, they're reliable without being outstanding.
01:14:53
Chris
Lehigh, maybe, or Lehigh Hopawati or something that.
01:14:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Ronnie Wormatala's not there anymore. Maybe Roger Toulvas-A-Shek potentially.
01:15:02
Chris
Yeah.
01:15:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Marky Mark potentially. Yeah, Mark. I reckon Mark. I reckon Bruce is going have a very, very good year.
01:15:11
Chris
Yeah.
01:15:13
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going to say Mark and b Brian Tottenham.
01:15:16
Chris
Yeah.
01:15:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay. Next position. We have got center. I've got Crichton and Herbie Farmworth, cap of fact.
01:15:26
Chris
Yeah, facts. and There's not much more to be said.
01:15:28
Tackles and Tinnies
fucking load. Was that three or four years in a row now that they're going to win it?
01:15:30
Chris
Yeah.
01:15:32
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's the same until it's not the same. Yeah. Yeah, 5-8th.
01:15:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, 1A, 1B.
01:15:41
Chris
Yeah, we'll move to 5-8th, I reckon.
01:15:44
Tackles and Tinnies
dyll Well, ChatGBT reckons Dylan Brown, 5A to the year, capital fact.
01:15:49
Chris
Oh, dude, count. No way. No way.
01:15:51
Tackles and Tinnies
Who you got?
01:15:54
Chris
like Look, look.
01:15:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Who's 5A to the year?
01:15:56
Chris
Look, something like the Munster. Can I say Munster? You know, i just look until, until Dylan Brown, until I see it with my eyes, it's just, it's just such a, such a brave prediction by chat GPT.
01:16:00
Tackles and Tinnies
me say month
01:16:08
Chris
I know you talked about, yeah told I know you talked about how awesome it was for New Zealand, but, until I see it, you know, i see, i see the nights clicking.
01:16:09
Tackles and Tinnies
What about Sam Walker?
01:16:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. and
01:16:16
Chris
Yeah.
01:16:17
Tackles and Tinnies
He hasn't got that New Zealand four pack album in amount though. That's the issue. Yeah. I think main contenders would obviously be Sammy Walker, depending on your place, 5'8".
01:16:28
Tackles and Tinnies
You've obviously got, yeah, Munster. Ethan Strange could go back-to-back. Jerome Luai, potentially. Maybe a sniff at AJ Brimson, potentially.
01:16:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Yeah, probably the main guys.
01:16:42
Chris
Ezra man.
01:16:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Ezra Mam. Yeah, they're probably the main guys.
01:16:46
Chris
Yeah.
01:16:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Nico Hines, if he gets shifted to 5'8", probably worthwhile doing. My nemesis.
01:16:54
Chris
Well, uh, if Nico Hines being a chat GPT, half back of the year, cap or fact, then and I think we know what your answer is.
01:17:06
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going to say it, and it's going to be controversial, and going to say it back.
01:17:11
Chris
Okay. Okay.
01:17:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:17:13
Chris
Yeah.
01:17:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Reason being, and you said it just before, these are the guys who don't get injured. Cleary is obviously the GOAT. He's the best one.
01:17:23
Chris
Yeah.
01:17:25
Tackles and Tinnies
But there's not many two other guys who would probably take his spot. Sharks win games and he doesn't get injured. Touch wood.
01:17:34
Tackles and Tinnies
So...
01:17:34
Chris
Yeah, think the other contender would be Jerome Hughes if he doesn't get injured, you know obviously this year.
01:17:37
Tackles and Tinnies
And he's quite injury prone as well in the past couple of years.
01:17:40
Chris
Exactly right.
01:17:40
Tackles and Tinnies
So going off that analysis alone, i go Nico Hines.
01:17:41
Chris
Exactly right. Yeah. Yep.
01:17:45
Tackles and Tinnies
going to say chat to you, you've done a good job there, mate. And that'll be facts.
01:17:48
Chris
Yep.
01:17:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Controversial, controversial. Until we get to Supercoach and then you're never going to pick again. Then I'd pick him in into twice. Who knows? Time will tell. Props. Chachet is projected that Payne Haas and James Fisher-Harris. Capital fact.
01:18:07
Chris
Oh, yes, the Payne Haas. James Fisher-Harris. He's in his back end of his career. I don't agree that. I think it's going to be Terrell May.
01:18:17
Chris
I think he's going to get his he's going to get his he's goingnna get his flowers next year.
01:18:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Sure, mate. Yep. I will, Chris, I'm going to say one thing, mate.
01:18:21
Chris
He has to.
01:18:24
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going really go back to Pac Nations. Terrell May did not get many minutes, but he also looked extremely slow, very plotter-like.
01:18:34
Tackles and Tinnies
He looked a bit too heavy, in my opinion.
01:18:37
Chris
Yeah.
01:18:37
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you needs to lose some kilos moving forward.
01:18:40
Chris
Yeah.
01:18:40
Tackles and Tinnies
If he's the same playing weight. Yeah, I thought he looked very slow.
01:18:43
Chris
Yeah.
01:18:44
Tackles and Tinnies
But, yes, Terrell May, great shout. Love that. Any other contenders we can think of?
01:18:50
Chris
Patty Carrigan.
01:18:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Tino, if he's front row.
01:18:54
Chris
Yeah. Tino. Yep. Yep.
01:18:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Stefano, I thought he was very good in the back end of the year last year.
01:19:00
Chris
Yeah. No, he wasn't bad at all. Actually. Yeah.
01:19:02
Tackles and Tinnies
So let's have a lock.
01:19:02
Chris
Yeah.
01:19:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Who you got? Payne, Harsenhu.
01:19:06
Chris
I reckon Terrell. I reckon Terrell.
01:19:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, r I reckon lock and load.
01:19:09
Chris
Yeah. Like, I just... I mean, at the end of the year, I think, you know, it's... Sometimes I'm... I also think, you know, it's just been a long season. He's played so many... He played so many minutes last year, you know, but it's... Sorry, this year, you know, for the Tigers, you know, and... But, look, I reckon... I think he doesn't get his...
01:19:27
Chris
I don't think he gets the credit because the Tigers, we're just bottom half team. If we can kind of do a little bit better this year, you know, I think he'll get, yeah, he'll get his plaudits.
01:19:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:19:40
Chris
Hooker, Harry Grant. Cap or FAC?
01:19:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:19:43
Chris
I think it's FAC.
01:19:43
Tackles and Tinnies
That's fact.
01:19:44
Chris
Yeah.
01:19:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, 100%. Yep. Yep.
01:19:45
Chris
He's just head and shoulders above everybody else. Blake Braley had a, you know, great year this year, and I think he's going to get better. I think thats the Sharks are only going to get better actually next year as well. You know, I'm very excited for them.
01:19:56
Chris
Yeah. Second row is Chachabee has Miliami Kikau and David Fafita, you know.
01:20:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Don't hate the kick-out shout. Don't hate the Fafita shout. Very smoky. However, Eli Katoa. It's wide open this year for at least one spot.
01:20:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Who else do you reckon you could be contenders?
01:20:16
Chris
Hudson hutton Young.
01:20:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, definitely.
01:20:19
Chris
Yeah. That's the only one I can think of at the moment.
01:20:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Sharks. You've got Britta Nicarra potentially.
01:20:24
Chris
Yeah, if he doesn't get suspended next year.
01:20:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Angus Crichton. I thought Angus Crichton, I didn't say this in the Pac Nations review, but he was probably Australia's one of their best games, at least games one and two.
01:20:28
Chris
Yep.
01:20:34
Tackles and Tinnies
I thought he was unbelievable. Yeah, that's pretty much the main guys.
01:20:40
Chris
Lekka, uh, Lekka Hamas, Lekka Hamas, Halasima.
01:20:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Leckon.
01:20:44
Chris
I think he could, if he has a big year next year, that would be, you know, he's so exciting.
01:20:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep.
01:20:48
Chris
I really, really like him. Yeah.
01:20:54
Chris
Yep. Yep. Definitely.
01:20:56
Tackles and Tinnies
So who you got? What's your prediction?
01:20:59
Chris
Oh, uh, look, I'll just say, just because I said it, I'll say, I'll say it's a Lekka and, uh, I'll say it's Hudson Young. Really.
01:21:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:21:08
Chris
Yep.
01:21:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, I'm putting a caveat here. i'm going to validate the day for Fida claim. If he starts, if he does not start, That's rescinded straight away.
01:21:21
Tackles and Tinnies
I've caveated that one. Don't hate the kick-ass shout. Pretty durable. And he plays in winning team. I think that's important.
01:21:29
Chris
Yep.
01:21:30
Tackles and Tinnies
And obviously he has that attacking upside. He's unreal there. Don't also hate the Hudson Young shout. So if Dave Fafita's not starting, Hudson Young in, I kind of like the kick-ass shout.
01:21:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Lock, Chachapiti has predicted that Isaiah Yeo will be the Chachapiti Lock of the Year. Cap of fact.
01:21:51
Chris
Yeah, yeah, I would just say, I would say fact as well. it's he's He's the best lock in the game.
01:21:58
Tackles and Tinnies
There is one contender.
01:21:59
Chris
withouted out
01:22:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Cameron Murray is back.
01:22:02
Chris
Yeah, yeah, true. He's another, yeah, yeah. if I guess if rabbits have a good year, definitely could take it.
01:22:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Like Patrick Carrigan could be there. He's obviously very solid. You've got Tino. I hope he plays front row and not lock.
01:22:17
Chris
Ruben Cotter, he's always great.
01:22:17
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, Cotter. Yep. Plenty of talented fellas out there. Yeah. Victor Radley, smoky, but he's pretty good as well. I'll I'll tell you another guy for front row we didn't talk about. Nafahu White.
01:22:35
Tackles and Tinnies
He could definitely...
01:22:35
Chris
That's exactly who i was thinking in my mind, actually.
01:22:35
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. yeah
01:22:37
Chris
The moment you said that, he had a great year.
01:22:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:22:40
Chris
He's he's so young and he's only going to get better. Yeah. yeah
01:22:43
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm... I actually didn't my prop prediction. I'm going to say Payne Haas and Nafahu White. They're my prop.
01:22:51
Chris
I love it.
01:22:51
Tackles and Tinnies
and Yeah.
01:22:52
Chris
Yep. That's fair. Yep.
01:22:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. And then Locke, safe bets, Isaiah. But I want the comeback story. We want the narrative.
01:22:59
Tackles and Tinnies
We want the redemption story for the Rabbitohs. Morgo, i know you're going to like it. Cameron Murray.
01:23:00
Chris
Yep.
01:23:05
Chris
Fine.
01:23:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Now, this one's wild. ChatGPT has predicted the Dallium meta winner to be Dylan Brown. That is just crazy.
01:23:18
Chris
Oh,
01:23:20
Tackles and Tinnies
That's cat. That's absolute cat.
01:23:24
Chris
I would love to see it, but I would love to see it. What a redemption story. We're talking about redemption stories. Imagine if he comes back and just catapults the knights. Oh, that'd be great.
01:23:33
Tackles and Tinnies
That is cap.
01:23:35
Chris
yeah
01:23:36
Tackles and Tinnies
but Who's your main, main guy? So again, origin resting is going to take into consideration. Injury prone, team form, too many gun players in the team.
01:23:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Who you got?
01:23:50
Chris
Oh, look, I think I have his Reece Walsh. He, like, i mean, I, like, did I know was it was just a i know it was a purple patch, but he, he just looks so much better than everybody else at the moment.
01:24:04
Chris
It's so hard to go against him, you know?
01:24:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:24:07
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
01:24:08
Tackles and Tinnies
And a Broncos team that only should be getting better.
01:24:09
Chris
I'm, I'm, I'm, he's, yeah. Yeah.
01:24:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, I don't mind the Reece Walsh shout. Again, he's just, if he gets the ball, and again, we talked about it time and time again. When Reynolds isn't there, he plays better. Reynolds went off the field in the grand final.
01:24:24
Tackles and Tinnies
They came back and won. So, I don't know.
01:24:25
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
01:24:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Tom will tell that one.
01:24:28
Chris
I think I really believe in the theory. Yeah. Too many, too many, too many chefs, not enough cooks, you know, at the Broncos.
01:24:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:24:34
Chris
Yeah.
01:24:35
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Obviously got guys like James Tedesco. The Roosters should be better this year, arguably with DCE going in. Healthy Sam Walker from the start of the year. Nafahu White's obviously back.
01:24:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Tedesco could obviously go back to back. Any other guys? Latrell Mitchell, too injury prone, but has that upside. Maybe a guy like absolute smokey here, but Izzy Katoa from the Dolphins.
01:24:59
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
01:25:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Great attacking upside.
01:25:03
Chris
Yeah, he never gets injured as well.
01:25:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Cleary, is he due?
01:25:05
Chris
Yeah. It could be. It could be Katova. It really could be. Yeah.
01:25:09
Tackles and Tinnies
I mean, if you had to chuck five bucks on, is he Katawa? Not a bad shout. Melbourne Storm, Jerome Hughes, potentially.
01:25:18
Chris
Yep. He's won it in the past before. He could win it again.
01:25:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, that's probably Nico Hines. Is there a chance?
01:25:26
Chris
Oh, I, I, I, don't think so. Only because of the fact that I just feel that Braden Trindle just gets so much of the ball now as well.
01:25:31
Tackles and Tinnies
That's true.
01:25:36
Chris
Like, I think that, yeah, I, I think that Nico has been such a great team player and he shared the ball so much this year. And I think they're going to do, a lot more of that next year. Again, it's a good formula, you know, also with Blake Braley well, they're going to let him run through a lot more. So he's going to control the team little bit less, you know, but anyways, I'm, I'm pleased Nico.
01:25:55
Chris
Yeah.
01:25:57
Tackles and Tinnies
There's two other Smokies I don't mind either. Smokie number one is Keanu Keeney. If he can stay healthy.
01:26:06
Chris
but yeah
01:26:07
Tackles and Tinnies
The thing about Jai Gray for the Rabbitohs, Very, very good. He was leading the Dalliams at that stage. Very similar player. So obviously point proven that that archetype gets a lot of upside and flashy plays, which obviously looks good for the the voting purposes.
01:26:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Smokey number two from the same team, Jaden Campbell.
01:26:29
Chris
Yep.
01:26:30
Tackles and Tinnies
He's out and out their best player, overall player.
01:26:30
Chris
Good cause. I like them both.
01:26:35
Tackles and Tinnies
If Keanu Keeney can boost the Titans up the rankings, and obviously that's the caveat, the Titans have to make the top eight for one of those boys to either win the Daliem. But in terms of the flair and the type of game that looks flashy for Daliem win, Keanu Keeney and Jaden Campbell both have that upside health penalty, which is a big if.
01:26:55
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
01:26:58
Chris
Yeah.
01:26:58
Chris
I like that.
01:27:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Grand final prediction, already gave mine. Broncos, Panthers. Who have you got?
01:27:06
Chris
Yeah, I said Panthers Broncos.
01:27:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, perfect. Same thing but different.
01:27:10
Chris
Yep.
01:27:13
Tackles and Tinnies
And we said our biggest risers and fallers. I said that the biggest riser is the Gold Coast Titans and the biggest faller was the Canberra Raiders, potentially Cowboys for Wooden Spoon.
01:27:27
Tackles and Tinnies
And I think Broncos will get the minor premiership. Bulldogs potentially there as well. Who have you got your minor premiers? don't think you said that one.
01:27:37
Chris
Oh, no. the Panthers. Yeah. I just think they're too good next year. I just think they're so good. Yeah.
Community Engagement and Future Content
01:27:44
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah very very very hard to beat well guys that's a that's tackles and tinnies episode one technically for the the review slash preview 2025 2026 guys unreal 90 minutes of recording i've missed this so much i've been off work for a week and the teacher voice is letting me down i'm already losing my voice But in the coming days and weeks, we'll be releasing our mini-pod, so please stay tuned for that. and We're going to go through every single team, similar sort of formatting in regards to where they've ranked from last year, where they're heading towards, key players in terms of signings, losses, smoky players start, and
01:28:28
Tackles and Tinnies
What went good, what went bad. That's the sort of vibe we're looking at for each team review. and We're going to be filming that on Tuesday. So I'll try to pump some of them out Wednesday, Thursday next week.
01:28:37
Chris
right.
01:28:39
Tackles and Tinnies
And then we'll be filming similar time on Saturday slash Sunday next week. So yeah, guys, keep your eyes posted. Might be a nice little Christmas present for you guys.
01:28:49
Tackles and Tinnies
But we want your engagement, particularly now that you know that we're doing these team reviews. Give us your comments in the comments below in either Spotify, Apple Pod, or via Shorts or Instagram, TikTok.
01:29:02
Tackles and Tinnies
and We want to hear what you guys think about your team for 2025 and where your where you think your team's going to be for 2026. And we want to hear about what you guys think about the rule changes or potential rule changes for either year 2026 or 2027. Definitely I'm liking the ruck infringement, what we were saying before, and the extended bench. Definitely my two.
01:29:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Chris, any last words, mate?
01:29:27
Chris
No, no. yeah i know it's only twenty twenty five so I'm excited for next year. Excited for rugby again.
01:29:33
Tackles and Tinnies
100%. Supercoach is around the corner. It's out in four days. Might do an emergency podcast. Team picker.
01:29:40
Chris
I think we can do that.
01:29:41
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm awesome.
01:29:41
Chris
I think we can do that.
01:29:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. Yeah. I reckon it might be a five-hour podcast. So, strappy.
01:29:47
Chris
oh
01:29:48
Tackles and Tinnies
All right, guys. We love you. Thank you very much. see you guys later.
01:29:54
Chris
I know, our friends.