My Best 17 don't include Wong

[Inflictor]

NButch will always be picked and deservedly so. Unfortunately Steep or Foketi would miss out at full strength. But with our injuries it has not happened and probably never will. All it takes is one out. Ebutch would be behind all three but you never know how Robbo is thinking. He is reliable imo so no big deal if chosen. People isolated one error in a game and forget about the other ten players who make similar errors in the same.

No spot for Sandon on the bench. It's either #6 or #7 in NRL or #6 or #7 in NSW Cup. He is too much of a risk defending in the middle. Benny and ZDC ahead of him for the bench spot imo.

The rest are automatic selections.

[HunchoRooster]

The areas that Wong needed to improve on are exactly what he’s done so well this season. Tackle efficiency, fitness, overall defence, decision making.

If he can build on these fundamentals and pair it with the explosive attacking skill he’s shown in years prior you are looking at one of the best forwards in the entire NRL keeping in mind he’s 22 years old. He’s a long term starter for us, hands down in my opinion.

[Rooster_6]

I love a bold take Eddie but this is so wong.

I can't agree, I think Wong adds balance to our side. He's extremely well rounded in that he can run a good line for his half, he's got an offload, he's got the endurance to got the full 80, he can take a good hitup in yardage, he's discipclined so he's not giving away many penalties or making too many errors, he doesn't overplay his hand allowing the ball to spread out to Toia & Nawaqanitawase, his defence has improved immensely and that doesn't seem to deteriorate throughout the game despite getting through a mountain of work.

Sure we're not seeing the attacking brilliance from him that we saw in his rookie season but he's also got more responsibility in the team.

All teams need balance and at the moment Wong is doing a lot of the defensive workload & taking quite a few yardage carries to help out an inexperienced middle. If Foketi picked up that workload it's almost guaranteed his effectiveness in attack would also drop. Wong has made 435 tackles this season, the 10th most in the comp, and that's not about being in love with stats that's just backing up my point that he's getting through a lot of work for the team so others can shine.

All sides need balance, you can't just always pick the best attacking player in each position otherwise you'll end up like the Titans.

[Mickie Lane]

I think he should be one of the favourites for rookie of the year.

I think he played 3 games in 2024?
How many games can someone play the previous year to still be eligable for rookie of the year the following year?
I think the young FB from Parra will get rookie of the year this year.

[Mickie Lane]

I think Wong will be in the run on side unless he is injured.
I like Foketi playing in the middle.
Steep, Im not sure where he'll end up.

[Renman]

Wong and Angus are hard work for any opposition either in attack or defense. They tire an opposition. Whilst I have nothing against the Butchers in fact I admire their work ethic a lot but, there is no x factor with either. They would be a great pickup for Mal and I could see N Butcher as Captain material there. Wong this year has lost the loose stuff in his game, but is a wiser and a bit bigger and stronger player. I hope he continues to develop the way he has been.

[Chook2]

I think the chookpen has spoken here and I agree

Wong had been great this year! Big body and frame who despite all the commentary on being the next superstar robbo kept him in nsw cup to get all the 1% in his game! I didn’t agree initially but see why robbo had him playing 80 min in nsw cup in the middle making big mtrs and many tackles!

he is now in the nrl making 20 runs for 150mtr and 50-60 tackles and no misses
over the next few years he will develop his other attacking areas around foootwork in contact, line running and offloads!

I think in time learning to run at halves, at weak shoulders or angles will improve! Few times you can see once he looks up and choosing inside our outside line he will hit these in the future

tbh I would actually like Angus critchon so do more line running as well instead of just carries being a little one dimensional!

I also think he has been hindered by Walker not being there - imagine once Walker is back what Wong and Toia can do!

we have a good one with Wong

[Bates]

Interesting point of view. Personally, I think Wong has matured his game significantly this year and is becoming as important to the team as Whyte; he’s definitely in my starting 13 when everyone’s fit.

My top 17 when all available is -

Teddy
Toups
Smith
Toia
Marky
Walker
Savala
Whyte
Watson
Collins
Wong
Crichton
Radley

Sandon
Foketi
Steep
Leniu

No Butchers in my top 17 and I honestly couldn’t leave anyone out for either of them. Steep and Foketi have surpassed them both.

Nice 1 to 17.

How many of those players will be in our best 17 come 2027?

I'll go with 10.

[Steggles]

Nice 1 to 17.

How many of those players will be in our best 17 come 2027?

I'll go with 10.

I reckon 11. I still think Leniu will be with us.

[Bates]

I reckon 11. I still think Leniu will be with us.

I was 50/50 with Leniu as my 11th player.

[Inflictor]

Nice 1 to 17.

How many of those players will be in our best 17 come 2027?

I'll go with 10.

Only ones I see gone are Toups and Sandon 100%.

Teddy, Rads and Crichton maybes but wouldn't be surprised if they are still here.

I think Marky will extend.

NButch will be here too.

[Bates]

Only ones I see gone are Toups and Sandon 100%.

Teddy, Rads and Crichton maybes but wouldn't be surprised if they are still here.

I think Marky will extend.

NButch will be here too.

The amount of concussions are the big issue for Vic and may see him retire early.

[Inflictor]

The amount of concussions are the big issue for Vic and may see him retire early.

Yep. That's what the maybe means.

Teddy might retire too. Angus might be in WA at the time.

But you never know with either three.

I suppose you can include Toups to the maybes too if we don't find a decent replacement. The bloke doesn't age.

[Bates]

Yep. That's what the maybe means.

Teddy might retire too. Angus might be in WA at the time.

But you never know with either three.

I suppose you can include Toups to the maybes too if we don't find a decent replacement. The bloke doesn't age.

I thought Teddy was all but done back in 2023 but he is comfortably the competitions form fullback. He makes Edwards look so 1 dimensional in comparison. Teddy's leadership has also improved and he looks to be enjoying his footy.

We're lucky to have him!

[Mickie Lane]

Our top 10 forwards are Whyte, Collins, Watson, Gus, Wong, Rads all starting then N Butcher, Leniu, Foketi & its between Steep, Ioelu & E Butcher that makes up the last spot.
Teddy, Toups, Billy, Bobby T, Marky, Walker & Hugo is our best backline.