Bears, Broncos and Big Decisions

Kenty & Woz discuss Brisbane’s push to bring Reece Walsh back, Manly’s decision to rest Tom Trbojevic & what Canterbury will do with Lachie Galvin.

The Bears are Back

The wait is almost over for North Sydney fans. While the official announcement was expected earlier this week, we can confirm that the deal is essentially done. Unless there is a catastrophic breakdown in negotiations, Mal Meninga will be named as the new coach of the Bears.

The NRL expects an official announcement by Friday. Once the contract is signed and the first player is on the books, the old black and red faithful can truly start to get excited. The Bears are back, and with a legend like Mal at the helm, they mean business.

Broncos in the Hot Seat

The situation in Brisbane is reaching a boiling point. Having lost six of their last seven games, the Broncos have arguably hit the panic button by naming Reece Walsh to return this week. With a bye following this round, the decision to bring Walsh back now rather than giving him an extra two weeks to recover speaks volumes about the pressure Michael Maguire is under.

The Broncos have looked pedestrian in attack recently. While Walsh and Ezra Mam provide the spark they desperately need, the issues seem to run deeper. Kenty noted that the commitment and "buy-in" from the squad across the park has been lacking. Whether Walsh can single-handedly fix the team chemistry remains to be seen, but a loss to the 17th-placed Titans this weekend would be disastrous.

The Philosophy of Utility

One of the more refreshing trends this season has been the tactical diversity shown by the Bulldogs and the Raiders. Both sides are moving away from the "copycat" block-shape football that has dominated the league for a decade.

The Bulldogs have deliberately opted for a smaller, more mobile pack filled with utility players who can cover multiple positions. Similarly, the Raiders are leaning into second-phase play, leading the league in offloads. Both Ricky Stuart and Cameron Ciraldo deserve credit for coaching to the strengths of the rosters they have, rather than complaining about the players they don't.

Selection Shuffles and Origin Clouds

The team lists brought plenty of talking points this week. Lachlan Galvin has been named in jersey 23 for the Tigers, a move likely designed to shield the youngster from media pressure while keeping the door open for a late inclusion. Meanwhile, at the Dragons, Terrell Sloan has been dropped to reserve grade. Despite his brilliance with the ball, his defensive deficiencies have become too costly to ignore.

On the injury front, the news is grim for the Warriors and the Blues with Mitch Barnett ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. This opens the door for Stefano Utoikamanu to potentially step into the New South Wales side for Game Two, given his familiarity with the squad's systems from Game One.

The Rookie "Pub Test"

Finally, the panel debated the eligibility of Mark Nawaqanitawase for Rookie of the Year. While technically a rookie under the current NRL criteria, the fact that he is a former Wallaby and Olympian raises questions about the "spirit" of the award. Kenty argued that an elite international athlete shouldn't be compared to an 18-year-old making their way in professional sport for the first time. It is a debate that is sure to rumble on as the season progresses. 

Find the full chat on Fanatics TV.