Alright, so let's kick things off with the NRL Pre-Season Challenge. Man, what a lineup of surprises and solid performances. Look, first off, we had the Sharks and Warriors battling it out to a draw, twelve-all. Not the flashiest result, but it set the stage for what’s shaping up to be a fascinating season. But get this, the Cowboys—yeah, the Cowboys—absolutely crushed by the Dolphins. Fifty to eight. Fifty to eight! It’s wild. I mean, who saw that coming?

On the other hand, there’s the Broncos. Absolutely on fire. Fifty to twelve over the Titans. That’s the kind of dominance you love to see heading into Round 1. And the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles, oh mate, that was a proper contest. Thirty-four to twenty-four, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance. I’ve gotta say, as a die-hard Sea Eagles fan, this pre-season has me cautiously optimistic. They’re looking, well, promising. Let’s put it that way.

GO THE MIGHTY SEA EAGLES!!!!

Right, let’s talk about the big elephant in the room—suspensions heading into Round 1. Spencer Leniu for the Roosters, Lewis Dodd with the Rabbitohs, and Josh Curran out for the Bulldogs. These are no small losses, hey. Losing a guy like Leniu, I mean, it’s it’s gonna hurt the Roosters’ forward depth big time. The bloke’s a wrecking ball, and now they’ve gotta shuffle things around, maybe lean on their younger pack a bit more. Could be risky.

And then there’s Lewis Dodd. Look, the Rabbitohs are already, you know, juggling a few gaps in their halves. Dodd missing Round 1? It’s like losing the conductor from a symphony before their big performance. They’ve got talent to cover, sure. But is it polished enough? Hmmm, not so sure on that one.

Now for the Bulldogs, Josh Curran was expected to be a bit of a glue guy in the forwards this season. So yeah, his suspension could really rattle their structure, you know? But there’s a silver lining. This is where emerging talents step up. Somebody like Jacob Preston maybe. Been hearing decent chatter about him, and this is, honestly, his chance to make a statement. New talent stepping up—it’s what footy’s all about, yeah?

Thinking though, on the suspensions—it raises that age-old question, doesn’t it? Do we need stricter rules, or is it harsh as it is? Seriously, sometimes it feels like the league’s, like, balancing on a knife’s edge with these calls. Makes me kinda think back to local league days where suspensions were rare, but man, the penalties when they came through? Brutal. Anyway, tough calls for officials, and even tougher for these squads heading into Round 1.

Alright, let’s dive into one of the most exciting parts of the season—NRL Fantasy. If you’re like me, you’ve been, you know, tinkering with your lineup, rethinking every decision, and then tinkering all over again. It’s honestly the best kind of stress. Now, for anyone new to fantasy, a bit of advice—don’t just look at the big names. Sure, guys like Nathan Cleary or James Tedesco are no brainers, but you’ve gotta scout those mid-range players with upside. Think, uh, someone like Jacob Preston. The Bulldogs might give him a real crack this season, especially with Curran on the sidelines for now.

And for goodness’ sake, balance your team! Every year there’s someone who stacks their lineup with stars and then runs out of cash to fill the bench. You need those budget gems, like, uh, backups who could start mid-season. Fantasy’s as much about patience as it is about big points early, mate.

Oh, speaking of balance, I’ve gotta share my dream lineup. Alright, picture this—Fullbacks? Tedesco, naturally. Halves? Throw in Daly Cherry-Evans—bit of bias there, I know. And props? You can’t ignore Payne Haas. Toss in a wildcard like Ezra Mam—he’s electric. And for Captain? Always go dependable. I’d pick Cameron Murray. Steady hands win the game, right? Now, if only NRL Fantasy let me add old Sea Eagles Players like Cliffy Lyons, I swear, this bloke would have racked up monster points back in the day. Alright, maybe not monster points, but entertaining? Absolutely!

Switching gears, let’s chat about the Jillaroos. They’re up against England, and honestly, this match is more than just a game. Women’s rugby league is, like, really finding its moment now, and games like these are pivotal. It’s not just about who scores the most—although, knowing the Jillaroos, they’ll, you know, score plenty—it’s about showcasing skill, speed, and strategy on an international stage. These matchups hold the power to inspire a whole new generation. And who knows, maybe a future Jillaroo is listening to this right now, gearing up for their first local game. Gives you chills, doesn’t it?

So there it is—fantasy footy, international clashes, and a season kicking off with all the energy you’d expect. Honestly, I can’t get enough of it. And on that note, that’s all for today. Thanks for tuning in. Go enjoy your fantasy drafts, and as always, go the Sea Eagles! See you next time.