WE ARE BACK - Part 2 with Barles Charkley

And you laughed at me. Wow. Yeah, we're ready to just fucking rip and tear once Dickhead's computer's on.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another episode of The Muttley Crew in 2025, and oh damn, what a day to be alive. It's sunny, it's hot, and it's ready to go. And I'm here with the mutts, Kyle, Cody Son. How are you doing on this beautiful morning? Oh, very good. Well, you said you were doing accents, so now I'm just trying to push them. Oh, Kimo Sabe. And today we are in the game room dojo. This is my dojo. Oh no, Kimo Sabe. This is my house now. And it is the year

of the dog, if you didn't know. Actually, no, it's not. But anyway. Year of the mutt. Here we are today, the top eight ladder baby. And who's going to be there when we get to the finals of 2025? Top eight ladders. Top eight ladders. I've got the stepladder in eighth. I've got the two-step in seventh. I've got the two-step. I've got the extendo. Yeah, the extendo. They're too hard. You can't work well then by yourself. Ejecto, cedo, cars. Oh, that's a new ladder.

Anyway, no, we're here to talk rubber league. Kyle, really? You had your coffee there, Kyle? You up? Is he awake yet? I'm only halfway through into coffee. Oh, Larry. Yeah, we've pushed the Morning Time podcast before, and Kyle's like, I don't function. Well then, here we are. Well, the shower definitely helped you, big fella. Thank you. Of course it does. It always does. Every morning. That's why shower is number three on the list in the morning for me.

What's one and two, mate? Wake up, stand up, pee, urinate, then shower. That's four. You just said wake up, stand up, urinate, shower. Oh, wake up, stand up together. I mean like move your legs off the side of the bed. So do you like- Stand up and urinate together. That'd make more sense. Not wake up and stand up together. Just all together. Just as soon as you wake up, bang. Just undertaker. Yeah.

Rise. Anyway, we're here to talk to Rubby League, and I think this is a great time to do this podcast because we unfortunately had some massive moves in the rugby league world this week for the unloggy Rabbitohs, losing their heart and soul, Cameron Murray, for a year. That sucks for rugby league fans, it sucks for New South Wales, and it sucks for Cameron Murray. Only five months. Only five months, he'll be back.

He'll be back. Then do you come back after an ACL injury? It depends on... ACL, I mean Achilles. Just a little sneaky super coach thing. Do you look at Keelon Matungi now? I think you look at Talos Duncan more if he gets that 13 jersey. Or Schuster. Schuster not even playing. No, because they could probably move. Kaloa Matangi, he probably goes into that lock spot like he did last year and they could put Schuster onto an edge. That's what I was thinking.

But they might even put Talos Duncan on an edge. We'll see what happens. But the word is Schuster is not looking even close to rugby league at the moment. Apparently, last thing I saw, he didn't even really want to play. Yeah, exactly. So I'm like, nah, that's not the way to go. Anyway. Anyway, let's talk some rugby league ladders. An eighth spot for me, baby. I guess we're doing it, and they've automatically changed for me, and I've got the Rabbits now at eighth. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

They were higher, but then... They were much higher for me. No, not much higher for me. But they lost a heart of soul, and now they've lost Latrell Mitchell for eight weeks, and if he's going to start getting injuries already... Is he after eight weeks? Eight weeks, yeah. I didn't see that. Yeah. And if he's starting injuries already, I don't see him going through the rest of the year without another injury, and... Yeah. Well, I was talking to Max, and I was like, it's getting to that turbo...

Like territory. I was like, cause apparently he was looking the fittest he's ever been. He was looking good. He was trim. He was taught. He's terrific. And then he's done a hamstring. I'm like, Ooh, that's not, I saw Shaq also did a Shaquille also did a hamstring as well. And then there's that other fellow from there. I don't know. Edge top 30 that also did his ACL or whatever. And he's gone for a year as well. So the Rabbitohs. Can I just make a switch?

I had the worries at nine. Can I move them into eight? Nope. After that last podcast, those teams are locked. My ninth spot was the Roosters, and I shan't be putting them into my top eight. You can't make me. You're telling me a busted Rabbitohs is still better than a Roosters. I'm going to swap the Tigers and the Rabbitohs. I've got the Tigers. Jake's going to swap the Cowboys up. He'll put the Knights in. Found a spot, boys.

Honestly, though, I do think the Rabbits could still make the finals because I think Wayne Bennett is there, so that's going to help a lot. Sprinkle that dust all over. It really also now depends. Can Cody Walker stay fit, which I've got my... Well, he's in doubt for round one. He might not even be playing round one. They just can't push him back. If he's out one week, two weeks, just let him be out for two weeks and get him

back. With the Supercoach thing too, Jack Wyden becomes half a shout too because they'll go to him more down that left side. He's been in my team the whole preseason. Yeah, I just wasn't sure about him. If Trelly Mitt's there. Yeah, I think with the loss of Mitt and possibly Cody. Cody Walker a bit injured. And the big one too that, you know, everyone knows that Cam Murray's a heart and soul, but they're going to miss a lot of quick play the balls.

Like he doesn't do like he does some flashy stuff but the most the best thing he does is when they're in that attacking 40 he's down and up playing that ball while the defense is still getting back in the line that's going to be a big loss for him too do you reckon how do you reckon Jai Ara is going to, depends on he's just injury prone too he's playing half the year last year with that fucking shoulder, everyone's going down this year there's been millions of injuries I think they

still need to slow the game down just a tad just for scooch I think they made it too far that's the plan And if they go hard at this, touch the ball with the foot rule this year, which they're trying to crack down. Yeah. Oh, that's probably why Hargrave's retired. Yeah. He's out of the league. He's like, I can't do it, boys. Oh, no. You've ducked me here. Sorry, mate. You bloody ducked me.

No, well, that's what I reckon too, because it's going faster, they're training more in the off season to get fitter and stronger. And there's more injuries because they're probably overcooking them. Yeah. Especially in the summertime. We're seeing a lot more soft tissue. Well, and this year, it's ridiculous. If you go through all the teams, the amount of serious injuries is actually pretty hectic. Anyway, that's enough on the rabbit. It's unlucky, but I still think they could

go right this year. We'll see what happens. Seventh place. Seventh place. I think they might have came seventh last year. And I just can't see them getting any better, but I still think they're going to be good. And I just think other teams will get better. For me, I've got the Bulldogs at seventh. Oh, that's an absolute spread. I've got the Bulldogs at seventh. I still like their signings that they've done, but I still just don't think their spine is much better.

I mean, that's how you win a lot of rugby league games. Much better they got them to fifth or whatever it was like. Oh, they got a fifth last year. Bro, they were almost in the top four. Yeah. You just don't rate them. They were in the top four for like all but last like three or four rounds. Hey. Kind of like Kyle and the typical. I've got my last year ladder right here. I had them at 16th last year. So get them up to seventh. That's pretty high. Oh, so they're bound to be minor premiers then.

Well. Because he does not rate them. I'm surprised you had them in your eight, to be honest. No. Mate, they got the signing of the year. They got Satili Tupanua. This is the same as when the Broncos came second, what, two years ago. He didn't tip them a single round the whole year. Yeah. Lost the tipping con because of it. So who have you got down towards the bottom there? Because they're probably going to make the top eight. I reckon they'll finish third.

What about you, Kyle? What about the Roosters? You're a fucking, yeah, like you didn't play in that idiot. And the Dragons. Who have you got sitting in your seventh spot, Kyle? Well, so I made another adjustment because of how they performed. I know they didn't have a lot last night, but I've moved the Seagulls to seventh. Out. Munley. Yeah. Ouch. All the way to seventh. Yeah, I just don't. You've moved them down to seventh. After a trial game with none of their players.

But they couldn't beat a New South Wales Cup team of Penrith. Yeah, that's Penrith. I don't count them. Who'd they even have played? Anyone? No one. They both played in Vegas next Sunday, so no one played either team. Manly played in Vegas last year, rather. Yeah, they still had no one.

They were literally just missing their spot. Not much. I love you, if I can. Just said. Just said. Shout out to the LO Sport Boys. Just said, fine. DC, he's fucking old. Who was the fullback for him? It was Lehigh. Lehigh. He was playing on the wing. No, he started at fullback and then went out to the wing. Oh, yeah. I've seen he was naved on the wing, so I was like, who's this? Well, maybe he started on the wing and went to fullback. I know he's playing fullback at some point.

Do you think if Turbo's fit all year, Manly will come to the same way? When does he be fit all year? Okay, that's what I'm asking. Yeah, that's one of those ones. That's a good answer. We're going to keep asking those same questions. If, if. That's the whole thing. Like, yeah, if Turbo stays fit the entire season, they're pushing top four. But when was the last time he had a full season? I don't think he's ever had a full season. Good answers.

So, because I had Manly in my top four last year, banking on Turbo actually having a full season. Oh, that would have switched me rude. He's been stung before. He's got PTSD. Now watch it. Turbo will have a full season. Yeah. Okay. So Kyle was manly. And for me, it might be a little bit controversial. Probably he's sitting a little bit higher than a lot of people will have them. In seventh, I did have him at eighth, but because I've dragged the Rabbitohs

down to the depths, I've got the Dolphins in seventh. Ooh. Still bang. Yeah, right. I reckon the Dolphins are going to go good. And I just reckon the team's below them. I reckon they'll do better than the Roosters. And then whoever else I had in 10th and 11th. That's crazy. I can't look good at that now. What a swing team. Kyle has Dolphins coming in 16. You've got them coming in 7th. Wow. Yeah, but I also picked the Storm not to make the top eight last year.

So I'm not too dissimilar with these terrible football calls. I still couldn't believe that call last year when you said. Well, like I said, they only had a couple of players, but those couple of players played really well. So go back to the Dolphins. Who thought Romy Hughes was going to play that good all year? Back to the Dolphins, Cody. What are you seeing them to get 7th? I just reckon better than last year. Okay.

And I had them only just eighth, like just pipping the roosters for eighth. Yeah. But now they're in seventh because I've just dragged Rabideaus. I'd like to drop the Rabideaus out of my top eight, but we can't do that here. Made that real here, mate. Can't do that. So they're in eighth and Dolphins then just through pure luck gets that one spot. That was the whole reason why I left the roosters off that list our last episode.

Oh, you did your little voodoo curse on Rabideaus? Yeah. You fucking... Fucking oath. Couldn't happen to a better team, really. Inchangeable. I feel sorry for him But I don't. Who have you got in seventh, Jake? I told you, Bulldogs. That's right. Yeah, he's already gone, brother. Yeah, I couldn't remember. We're going to bag him again. Yeah, he eats his shit. We're up to sixth now.

I'm going to go sixth, and I know you boys both don't like this call, disagree, and I could be totally wrong because I was totally wrong on this team last year, but I don't know. It's because you don't get rugby league. I always seem to like this team, and I just feel like they're better than what everyone else thinks they are, and that's that Parramatta Eals at sixth for me. I just... Have you been getting your tips from Matty B? No. Oh, the Patamattis eel. I just think. He's seen Junior Paul.

I dropped 10Ks on it. That's it. We're on. Watching their game last night, I think that even pushes it more. They played really well last night without Moses and Brown. Byongi looked good. He did look good. I'll give him that. That one try, oh, everyone's just super cautious. I can't believe you've got them that high after Kyle and I basically bagged out their entire squad. Yes. For the last body. No, I really rate them. I think if Moses and Brown play all year,

and I think they both will now, they're not going to get injured again. There's a lot of ifs. That's what a prediction is, ifs. Fuck. Hopwood is back. He shouldn't get injured again, so he'll be good. Oh, no. You're that guy. Nah. You are that guy. Sorry, Jermaine. I apologize on behalf of Jake. That big fella. Have a few rounds off the start. Maybe just sit this season. Yeah. Rest up. Lomax. Lomax is a gun. Tulagi is looking good. I'm liking Eels.

I do actually like the Jack Williams. Jack Williams in front row. In the middle. What a go. That's red hot. That's so good because then they've got Paul, a big dog. Then they've got Gurumi Weg, but he's on the bench. Yeah. Sorry, Ramu Gregg. Gurumi Weg. I'm getting excited. I thought he said Jeremy Wank. I was like, who's that? Gurumi Gregg. Gurumi Weg. Sorry, Ramu. I think they've got that rotation so much better this year. I think it sounds like. Oh, Balls Charkley. Nah, I like him.

Jason Riles. Balls Charkley is fucking classic. Oh, you couldn't have picked a better one to follow that up. That's cold.

Come on, Jake. Say something. No, like I said, it's really... Back on track. Yeah. And I'm rating Jason Riles as a coach, and he's come from good systems. I think he's going to really help this team. You've got to remember, they were in the grand final only, what, a couple years ago. So... Oh, God. Okay, boys. You're going to have to come back, because it's up to you. You've got a six, lads. Oh, man. That's six.

This fucking got me I've got the roosters, I finally placed the boys at six Which is the absolute highest I could ever get them This year to be honest That was their ceiling And I did originally have them at eight Until the Rabbitohs debacle At the band leads trial, Yeah Mate any excuse to bump them up a couple of spots It's fucking cutthroat I tell you what Yous are going to have to try and tread water for those,

The Roos is six. You're going to have to tread water because you don't have Walker or Smith. You don't have Walker or Smith for the first half of the season either. Don't need Walker, mate. We've got Sandin. Oh, yeah. Townsend. Because they can't walk, so you've got to start walking. Dead set. Look at... Almost a spat coffee. Mates, you guys need to look at Chad Townsend's history. His first year at every club. They make, they exceed expectations. He's like the Teemu version of James Maloney.

Basically, yes. I'm just trying to find the ladder from last year. How many wins does the team that came sixth last year get? They had. More than seven. Oh, fuck. I thought I pulled it back, and then I looked at you, and we're both just fucking teasing our eyes. 15 wins. Looked into me eyes. 15 wins. Yeah, we can get 15. We're just going to get 15 wins. Well, they don't need to. They just need everyone else to play really shit. Mate, we've still got the talent there.

We've still got a solid forward pack. I'll tell you what, though, just speaking on forward packs, Terrell May looked fucking good last night. Yes, he did. When you throw out. Looking fit too. Locked in. It's weird. Like the Roosters have lost so many players, but then when you see their team named, there's still a strong fucking team. Yeah. Like we're a bit, obviously a bit weaker in the outside backs. Well, Collins, Spencer, Crichton, and then you got fucking Radley and Watson,

but he's probably playing hooker for the first bit. Yeah. But even just there. And then Nafu, man, I highly rate Nafu White. Nafu White. Then you got Sua Wong. Yeah. Like it is a good team. They're just young. But, you know, the Roosters, they're going to get more injuries than they do every year. And they've got good finishes. They've just got to get the ball out of the wingers. They don't have the depth.

Yeah. Young, going to have a ripper. Oh, fuck. If he's actually learned how to run out of his own end, it would be great. Oh, sneaky pod and supercoach, if you dare. Pod? Man, I'm not spending 700K on a bloke that all his points are just in tries. You know damn well Chad Townsend's not going to run the ball, though. He'll be swinging. That's true. Swinging too early. What side will he play on? Right side, because Walker will come back on the right. Probably,

yeah. Sandon on the left. They'll probably just keep switching like most of the Roosters' halves have been doing. But, mate, Sandon, most improved this year. MIP, you reckon? He's my starting halfback and supercoach. I've got him in the hooking role. Definitely hooking for me. No, my hook is Wade Egan, mate. You've been burned by that before. Sneaky pod. Julius. Cody, you've got six there, brother. Myself, I have the Sharkies. Ooh, Sharkies. Sick. Yep. Because of all the teams

above them. There's a lot of people out there, mate. Well, they're a, what do you call it? What's your one? Flat track bully. I agree. They like to play good in the reg season and then fall apart in the post. I agree. But I just reckon there's a few better teams this year that are going to keep them out of that top four. So I've got them sitting. Well, they were sitting in seventh, but now they've jumped up that spot. Yep.

Into fifth. Yeah. Because I had them at six as well, because I think I had the Rabbitohs at five. Originally so they've all so, No other reason than that. I don't even have much to say about them. And they've also lost. Don't you feel like they got better this year? They've just lost Katoa for fucking three months, two months. He's come down with that injury. AFB's in for him this year. I think AFB's red hot, but at the same time. We can't get past Hazen. Come on.

Try scoring prop. Mate, he's going to be a distract. He's distracted this year trying to work out his contract. He's going to be the Roosters with Ponga and Dill Brown. No, we don't want Dill Brown. And Tarpity. Who have you got? Fifth. Okay, we're moving up to fifth. Let's go to fifth, baby. Did you say sixth? Yes, eels, bro. There's twice now you've done it. Oh, my God. Even I was like, hang on a second. I'm going off fucking third. Who was your sixth? Roosters.

You guys are fine. No, it's because you're... I'm still rattled from the fucking Biles Charley, brother. Just let me pull myself together. The eels was before that. That's why it seemed so long to go. Well, Moody and Lyle, listen. What? He said Mody and Lyle. Because your last name? Did I just put him in there? Yeah. No. Nice try, bud. Hey, I was fine. I'm happy with what I just did. Anyway, fifth spot. Let's go with the Mody's team himself. I've got Tom Arthgos coming into fifth for me.

I think they're going to have a much better year with Madge Maguire there. But I just think they're still going to have some teething issues. And I still don't. I think the halves aren't going to be fit all year. So I've got them coming in fifth. Because I still think they're stacked on the outside backs. And their forward pack. I really like, but I still think, yeah, fifth is a good spot for the Broncos. So basically, you're saying that they're stacked all across the park, but they're shit.

I think they could still be shit a couple games here and there. Just a couple? Yeah, so I've got them coming fifth for me, the Broncos, because I still think the top four teams I've got will be more consistent. Fair. So fifth for the Broncos. Mate, we have the oldest and most experienced hard pairing ever. Exactly. And I still don't like them, but I don't know how they're going to work. They're both right-hand players.

I think Madge. But I'm sure they'll work it out. I think Madge is a good thing for them. Yeah. Hunt can play both sides because he plays hooker for wins in Australia. But he really has some bad habits in his game. Hopefully the Broncos have got a good system so he can get all these try assists. Oh, there's going to be some intercepts against them. They're going to throw a few intercept passes to old Lomax this year, I reckon.

I've got that wrong, Chris. But I think it all, like everything about the Haas, yes, but a lot of it's about Reece Walsh, obviously, if he can be back playing very good like he did last year. What about Suali with the drive-by? He just comes in, kills him off to another sport. Yeah. Seemed to have rattled him for a while. Wreck his season. Back this year. I like the move of Paddy Carrigan in the front row, too.

I love having Hedrington on there I like seeing him And when he comes on at front row, You don't really lose anything Because he fucking comes in there And he just rips and he tears And he has a red hot crack That's why I love him That's why when they were thinking about He was thinking about leaving I was like no I love the energy off the bench He actually fucking wants to be there And he comes in and just goes fucking ham But if you've got bloody pain and paddy At

the front and then That's what I mean But having him at lock Gives him more freedom He doesn't have to do as much of the tough stuff And he can just get out there and have a crack Yeah And then That then puts like a Jensen or someone on the bench or a Willison, and then we've got a good rotation coming on, whereas before you had Jensen, Haas, and Paddy on there. Then you take them off, and then you just bring it on a couple of Nuffies.

Not doing much. Yeah. Whereas it keeps a stronger two, makes it have a stronger bench. Apparently, Takura is trailing the house down, so there's going to be a two-meter monster coming on. Yeah. It'll be good. Willison, another year under his belt. Oh, yeah, baby. Give it to both the Walters. Nice. I've got the Sharkies in five, basically for the same reasons as Cody.

I reckon they'll fucking, as I said, originally had them in six, but with Rabideaux dropping all the way down, put them up to five. Yeah. Powerhouse in the regular season. Exactly. We're talking about regular season here, boys. That's why I'm a bit. Yeah, but I don't think they're stronger than the four teams I've got above them, which is what we've also said. You rescinding?

I feel like this has got better this year. That's all. Well, I'm not a big Charts fan, but I feel like they got better this year. Who'd they pick up? A front rower. Yeah. I know he's a really good front rower, but... Oh, they lost Jack Williams.

Katowak, gone. Benchy. Winger. Okay. Winger's one of the most important players on the field now. Yeah, the least important is a center. Yep. They're the new wingers. Yeah, they just win fucking hottest man in the league because they don't do anything. Imagine if he had a crack. Where does he shit from? Says a salty Broncos fan. Out here looking like, oh yeah, it does look like that, doesn't it? You'd be out here looking like, what's his name? McInnes.

They asked him about it and he goes, no, I'm all good. It doesn't bother me. He goes, but I just hate when people use me as the example. And they go, but how come I'm lower than him? He's like, come on guys. McInnes does look like he should be playing hockey, but. Looks like he has been playing hockey. Yeah, that's true. So, well, for me, for fifth place, just not cracking it. I've got Manly. Manly up fifth. I've got Manly in my fifth. They haven't moved.

I've kept them at fifth. They were never in my top four. Because, again, I reckon they're going to have a good season, but you're just not quite sure. But this year, more than others, if they lose Turbo, yes, it's going to be an impact, but they've got the likes of Lehigh, Hopawade, and Kohler is now getting more consistent with his game. I don't think he's going to be as big of a loss, but that's why I've got him in fifth there. Just chilling. Yeah, nice. Just chilling.

I reckon they're going to go all right. Beautiful. Well, fourth for me. Because he's worse. And I don't see them getting any better, but I think they're really good. And they're a flat-track boy. It's the Sharks for me. I've got the Sharks coming fourth. Fourth. I'm in the top four. Top four. I'll win a lot of games. I think they go high and Trindle will be better together again this year. AFB is going to be such a... Trindle can stay on the park all year,

eh? Yeah. But AFB, he's going to be so good for this team. He's going to love being back in a dominant team wing. And he's going to be so good. And it just consists around the board. And I think it's a big year for Wade. Wade? Wade. Kennedy. The fullback. I don't know. I can't remember his name right now. Will. Kennedy. Will, thank you. I thought I was wrong. I was like, it doesn't sound right. Kennedy. Will Kennedy. I love the Sharks. Kill Will Kennedy.

Big year for him. And I think he might even have, I think the Sharks are here to win a comp this year. So if they're not really going great or they're not killing it, or he's not killing it, killing it. Willing it. Killing it, yeah. He might get the rock with these young fellas right up his tail. So it's going to be interesting to see. Is there a chance that they could drop him, move Nico back to fullback and bring in Daniel Atkinson to pair with Trindle? Because that worked.

I like it. Well, I don't reckon Hines will get a fullback. No, I reckon, yeah. There's more chance of Kate Dykes or the other young fullback. Even if he's struggling at halfback for the season? Oh, maybe if, yeah, maybe if he's got shit and struggling, but I don't see that. He doesn't struggle during the regular season. Yeah. Just when the fucking blowtorch is on him. He was injured in and out last year. He starts the season real well, but then Origin comes around and then he starts to struggle.

Yeah, no, that's why I'm thinking of having him half-backing his super coach for the first five or six rounds. I've thought about it. Just because he starts. But he's got injury concerns. So Sharks will be for fourth? I thought they said it was the fittest he's ever been. Well, that's what they said about Trail Mitt too. Yeah. So lads, who was your first team that you think could actually win the year? 2020. So this is probably going to be controversial and they're probably a lot

lower than most people have them. You haven't. I've got the Panthers at four. You're a joke. You're a joke. You can't have him anywhere else than first. You changed Manley after trial last night. You don't want to change Penrith after trial last night. I just. You can't have him anywhere other than first, brother. And I'll get to that. I'll get to that reasoning. Like, I know you can't write off the Panthers, and I'm not. I just think that they're going to, with the loss of the lie.

And, you know, injuries are starting to become a bit of Nathan Cleary's career. They're starting to creep in a bit more. I just feel that, like, don't get me wrong, they're still the team to beat. I just think that they're just going to do enough to get themselves to the top four spot. They've still got Dee Edwards, who is also picking up some injuries. And they just, outside of Luai, they've got to rely on a young Blaise Talangi. And then they've got Jack Cole and Schneider there as well.

But if there's a prolonged injury to Cleary or Edwards or anything like that, it's going to be a bit harder for them. And I think they'll drop a few more games this season. I still wouldn't want to verse them in the finals because that's when they become another beast. But I just think that during the regular season, they might drop a few more than previous. So I'll put them down at four. Okay. Righto then. Righto.

Righto. Fucking roll notes. Yeah, righto. Well, my top four, sitting in fourth place. I've gone with me hometown, my beloved, me Bibonko.

I've got them sitting in fourth. I've got them down there. I reckon they're going to have a better year. I don't think they're going to push all the way to the top I reckon they're going to make the top four though Just like you said Their outside backs are looking good These rumours as of late, Gemmett Shabaski looking like he's going to get a round one spot over Dean Mariner. If that's true, I'm off your match. Because Mariner killed it in the trial two weeks ago. And he's an absolute ripper.

He killed it last year. And I was looking forward to seeing him in the centers full time. Getting more ball and just having a rip. Because he's just pure speed. Apparently it's the defensive talks. But, nah. Defense doesn't win comps. But I'm like, we've had Gemmett before. He must be in the Cowboys coaching room. We've had Gement before. He failed. We sent him down south. Didn't he end up at the Knights or something? Yeah, he was at the Knights for a bit.

Couldn't even get a fucking crack there. And then he's come back up. He was on a training trial, and then he's been upgraded to a top 30, something else. And then now he looks like he's going to get around one spot. All off an off-season of training. I'm pretty sure within that, Cody, you missed, I think he was at the Rabbitohs for a little bit, and then back to the Cowboys for a little bit. Now he's back at the Broncos. I've got no idea.

He's definitely a journeyman. Yeah, but to say he's like, he's training the house down. Yeah, a lot of people train the house down, big fella. And then they've got to get in there and they've got to actually have a cracker in the season. Yeah, but you've got to put that faith in Madge, I think. Not with Gamut. We've been there, done that. Like going back to an ex that everyone's going, no, don't. Didn't work with any of your friends in the neighbourhood. And now she's come

back to you. Don't give her another run, champion. She's done the circles. Dean, marry her. Yeah, so Broncos, fourth. Yeah, nice. Jacob? Beautiful. Top three. Top three, top three. Let's go. My third. I don't like it. I hate it. Sorry, is this top three? Top three. I've got coming third. Manly. I've got him coming that high, Manly, I reckon. It looks like you're reading this list for the first time. You've gone, oh, no.

Manly. It's like he's done this list when he's drunk and he's like woken up. Oh, my God. I just don't like it. Now, after hearing you guys talk about Manly, I'm like, yeah, I've got him way too high. Because, yes, I think on their best days, they are going to look like maybe the third best team, but they're not going to have all their best days every week because they're going to get injuries, and it's Manly, and the coach is still a wanker.

But I got them third because I do really like their team. To drive by. I reckon they're looking fit. Their outside backs are just stacked. Oluquato is going to be better this year. I think Paseca is going to be better this year. Oluquato up into the captaincy group. Yeah, I like that. Into the leadership group. I think their hookah will be better this year, be back. Sneaky. Off-season boy in Takiyaha. Yeah. Off the bench, just solid. I didn't even know they did that until I saw

his name in Supercoach. I was like, oh, shit, he's back. Takiyahu. They can't expect more than 30 minutes from him, but those 30 minutes will be top-notch. And I think that's all they really need to get. You see that try from Bullymore? He's on. I've seen someone there like, after this year, the chat's going to be 2009 Jared Hayne, 2012 Barber, 2021 Barber. What's his name? Turbo. And then 2025, Bullymore. Who's the best?

Third for me, Manly. So another bit of a, Jake won't like this shout at all, but for third, I've got the doggies. Wow. Nice shout. Nice shout. I reckon another year together. As I said, they've got to buy the off season in Satili. Who's injured. Who's going to be on the bench. Who's injured. Yeah, but mate. They probably won't even play the first couple of rounds. Oh, yeah, oh, mate. But, mate, Matty Burpton will be getting a run. Oh, Matty Burpton.

Toby Sexton. Do you think a team with Burton Sexton, who's their fullback, who's their hooker, is going to make top three? That's crazy. Reid Marnie. Brother, they were in the top four for all but three rounds last year. And they didn't finish top four. Mate, I'm telling you right now. And then you don't think they're going to get even better. Their defense is going to get even better. Their defense is going to get them further than any other team.

Okay. And then with the time, their attack is going to get better. Gel better. They're going to have Toby Sexton for the whole season. They're going to stop this Drew Hutchinson bullshit. They're going to have Toby Sexton play the ball for the whole season. The only blip is Carraz is also injured at the start of the season. Have you seen that red-hot ripper, that young fella coming through too? He's been tearing up the preseason? Yeah. He's been a good one. They just... Don't see a team without,

I reckon... Yeah, but you also see the Knights come in 10th, brother. Yeah. So you can't see... We have a top 10 rugby league player in our team. There's a lot of great teams out there with really good individuals. This is a good team. Also, Stephen Croydon's not in... Top 20? No. Not top 20. Top 20, no. Stephen Croydon. Stephen Croydon, not top 20 players. He's the best defensive... The best center in the world. Best defensive center in the game that can also score a try out of nothing.

And now he just sounds salty. Now he's just sticking to his guns. No. He's like, oh, I've got to back up what I said. What an idiot. No, Stephen Croydon, shit. The Bulldogs would be good, but top three is wazy. Oh, wait until you hear our top two. Oh, my God. Yeah, but you've got Manly in your top three. Yes. With Tommy Chavojovic, Daily Cherry Evans. Tommy Chavojovic is going to play, what, 10 games this year? Oh, okay, mate.

Fucking hell. You have no idea. So we put the Cowboys lower shit because they can't defend, but then we're not allowed to put the Bulldogs higher shit because they can defend? All right. 50 bucks, or let's say a carton. Let's make it 100. Oh, we're doing carton bets again this year. The dogs will finish higher than Manly. I'm not making a bet with Manly. Yeah, that's what I thought. I fucking hate Manly. You've got him in third. Can't hate him that much. Let's go Parramatta.

No. Oh, that's an easy win for me. Okay. Deal. But where do you have Parramatta? Six. And I've got the dogs finishing third. Yeah, but I saw the dogs under the eels. Your bet is that you reckon the dogs are going to finish higher than the eels. So he'll take you on it. Shake his hand. No, no, no. Oh, yes. You've got no conviction. Shucks. Mate, your chat is that you've got Seagulls finishing third. Yep. And I've got the Dogs finishing third.

Yeah, but I don't want to make a bet on Manly because I don't like Manly. I fucking hate Manly. You're a fucking pretender then. So I'll make the bet. You're a pretender. I'm not making a bet on the team I hate the second most. Well, then change your letter. But they're your highest ranked team that we've spoken about. Yeah, that's true. But I'm still not making a bet on them. That's why I'll say I'll make the bet with Sharks. I'll make the bet with Caramattos.

You can't back your Doggies chat. I'll make the bet with the Broncos. Pussy-o. Steven Crichton, if you're out there listening, you're shit. You sound like the pussy-o. I'm willing to make the bet with teams that are under manly, and you won't take the bet. I'll do it with the eels. No, shark. What about the knights? No, you don't? No, so you changed off the eels. I'll do the eels. Oh, but then I was like, I was going to go sharks. Because they're more consistent. Oh, peppers. Yeah.

Well, you've got them finishing lower than doggy. Yeah, let's do that bet. Yeah, but Steven Crichton. Anyway, Cody, who have you got in third, bud? Okay, let's make that bet.

What? The Knights with four positions. I was already going to make the... I was already going to make... With four position buffer. Yeah, well, he thinks we're going to come fucking 16th, so I think that's a fair enough bet. I'll get you at 15th, bud. So let's take that bet. Oh, okay, so the Knights with a plus four. Yeah, it's the Bulldogs. Yeah, done. Done. Shake it. Two gardens. No, one. One's enough. Shake on it. Come on. Oh, it's a picture. Oh, it's sold.

Oh, I like that. That's the easiest garden I've ever won. Longer. Knocked out. We had one. Oh. Yeah, then watch him go, no, it's void, it's void. Back to the spoon days, they'd be able to dust off all those old spoons that I used to be able to get. We'd already got a few boys. Anyway, so we're going to be able to tangent there. So in my third spot, I've got the Storm. Gosh. I've got the Storm sitting in third. Where the fuck are you top two? Holy damn.

Just the best two teams in the column. Okay. Now I've got the Storm sitting in third. I reckon they're going to go all right. Not quite pushed for that top two. I just couldn't put them up there because I had the Rabbitohs in second. So my second's gotten a little bit lucky. It's jumped up a few spots that it probably wouldn't have been. But I couldn't put Storm in the second. I was like, no, I'm going to leave him in third. Even though I reckon they're going to have another rip a year.

Papenhausen, not quite sure if he's going to play a full year. Ken Hughes, back it up. Money's going to be fit, hopefully. Depending, you know, we don't know whether that hip injury is going to linger. They have picked up Otakamanu. They've lost Christian Welsh, which is a big loss. Yeah. Obviously, Warbrick's going to go get better and better. Well, he's going to be the Dallium winner this year. Same with Coates. He's going to get my three points every weekend, Warbrick.

Yeah, so I've got the Storm just sitting there in third. Cool. In third. He's off. He's gone. He is rattled from the Bulldogs call. And then the Storm call. And then you say all these positives about them. And you think there's going to be two teams that are going to be more consistent and better than them throughout the year? I don't know about that. Yep. I've got Melbourne Storm coming. Not that place. I've got Penrith Panthers second for me.

No, you can't. You can't not. I've got Panthers second. You're talking shit about the Bulldogs. I've got Penrith Panthers coming second. I think they're just going to have a red hot year again. But yes, they are missing Luai. So they're going to be maybe not the best team all year. But I still think they're going to be the second best team all year. They're going to win a lot of games. Like they do. And they do lose Penrith Panthers Stadium this year.

So I think that might just rattle them a little bit. Just a little bit. They're playing at Combank. Like, it doesn't matter where they play, brother. They get the wins. They get the dub. And they have lost a fish. Yeah, so just a little bit, but I still got them coming in second. Hey, give a man a fish. I'm actually really keen to see how Lindsey Smith goes. He's red hot. I like him. He's just, he's like a Lindsey Collins mold of just no fuss.

He doesn't do the flashy stuff like Lindsey Collins every now and again with them bloody. He needs to get the seeds. Oh, the avocado seeds. The avocado seeds. He needs to get on that diet with Collins. Yeah. Those flashes of brilliance. Him and Liam Henry. Liam Henry's like a second version of Liam Martin. And they sneakily add back an Isaiah Papali'i. So if he can hit some form that he was at at the Eels too, that's a big signing.

Well, again, they finished second last year, the Panthers, and they lost seven games. And I don't think they're going to lose more than seven games. I reckon they're going to lose 10. Oh, 10. Wild. In second, I've got the Bumcos. Up to the second? Yeah. Whoa. That's why high. I feel like I don't like it because I don't want the Broncos. But at the same time, I think Madge, if the Broncos buy into what Madge wants to do and actually want to have a crack, they'll go all right.

They've got the pieces there. Adding Ben Hunt at 5.8 and then when Ezra Mann comes back, he'll move into hooker. It takes so much pressure off Reynolds too. To have Ben Hunt as your starting hooker with Ezra Mann, I was going to say Ryan Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, and then Walsh at the back and then Paddy and Payne up front. It's just wild, I think.

You know, you don't want to add too much experience that you start getting prehistoric, but just that extra bit of experience in the spine will really help this young, aspiring team. I was going to say, I think Ben Hunt got 23, 24 try assists of the Dragons. With one bloke. And I was like, they don't have the same offensive weapons as what the Broncos have got. So I was like, I reckon Benny Hunt's going to have himself a season.

And then he can even, if Reynolds goes down, they can just push him across into that bloody seven spot. And you know what's shitting me? He's only available in 5-8. For Supercoach. When he played all last year at halfback, and he's probably going to play halfback. I mean, he's going to play six, but he hasn't played a game yet there yet. And then he's going to probably spend a majority of the hooker, and they've only got him at six on Supercoach. Who about Hunt? Yeah.

Wow. He's going to even put him at your halfback. Well, last year he was just halfback. That's what I mean. And then the year before he was halfback hooker. Because they're going to put him into six, so they've gone, oh, we'll play him at six. It's like, no, but he hasn't played there yet. I've had him as my 5'8 for ages. Normally, you've got to play five games. And then, you know, when Reynolds gets injured, they're going to put Ben Hunt at seven, and then whoever comes in will play at six.

It's so dumb. I think the Broncos are going to be a tough team to beat. If they buy into Madgenies, if they don't, and they just go off the rails. Fuck it. Righto, for my second, we've just got to do a quick drive-by. So get your number one ready. I've already read down your second. Get your number one ready. This is as bad as your storm call last year, mate. Get your number one ready, ready to go. I'm just going to quickly belt out my second and we'll move on.

I don't want to piss you off. I was looking at who you had left. I don't want to piss you off. Righto, so in second, I've got the Bulldogs. How? Who have you got first? How? Because of their defensive schemes, and they've only gotten better this year. Dude, the year before last, they didn't even make the finals. And then last year they came fifth. So if they keep on that trajectory and keep on improving. Cody, I just want to quickly add in. You know how I was talking beforehand.

I couldn't remember second and third. I had Doggy second for ages. And then I switched. You don't get rugby league, brother. If they keep on improving like they have been, they didn't even make the eight last year. And then they were pushing for a top four spot. I mean, sorry, two years ago, they were pushing for a top four spot last year. If they keep getting better, if they keep coming together as a team, their defense wins them so many games.

They came six last year with 14 wins. I can tell you right now, if they end up minor premiers, I'm not surprised. You guys are wild. Defense wins, comps wins, games. Wild. Stephen Crichton isn't as bad as you say he is. And Toby Sexton's actually a good halfback. Toby Sexton playing a whole season there. For half that season last year, they were pushing for a top four spot, and they kept picking Hutchinson randomly. Yeah, for the first 10 rounds.

Toby Sexton, if he plays all of it, Burton, man, come on. Wow. You've got to be there. Wow. Preston in the back row, Rippen and a Tearen. I like it. They've got a smaller forward pack, but that makes them more mobile. They don't wear out as quick. Their defense stays strong. I think there's always those teams. Last year, it was the Bulldogs who just jumped up a lot because people weren't sure how to play them. But now people know how to play them.

They've got them figured out, and it's going to make it much harder. They don't know how to figure it out. They don't know how to score points on them. Reid Marnie is a psycho. That's what I'm saying. Last year... Different defensive teams, but now people know what to expect. And they're a fitter, smaller team. We'll see what happens. I just reckon. I love it. Predictions. No, you don't. He fucking hates it. And number one. It's all about ifs. Or if the Bulldogs come circuit, that's bullshit.

Number one, I think it's going to be the same as last year because I think they're going to be just as good, if not better, and that's Melbourne Storm. Yeah. They only lost five games last year, and that was without Munster for most of the year, Pappy most of the year. They're going to play hopefully more this year, so I can't see them losing more games than last year. Bellamy's still there. They've got a better forward pack there.

I don't know how they're not going to win more games, and I don't know how they're not your favorites for the minor premiership. How is it a better forward pack? Because Utikamano is there. Yeah, but they lost Christian Welch. Who was fucking past it, man. I'll take Utikamano. He was done last year. I don't know. Yeah, but you've got to think about the fucking mentals and the leadership. He's an experienced leader of that pack. Harry Grant is getting better and better

here. Nah. That was Storm, baby. I got Storm at one as well. Which I hate to say because it's fucking boring. Fucking losers. Yeah, they're still not going to win the comp, bud. I hope not, but I think it's their year. Bulldogs are going to win the comp. Well, see, for me, for my ladder. Motherfuckers are wild. For me, for my ladder, my number one spot is just going to win it. I've got them doing both. Topping it and winning it. I'm just running it all in together.

Running it all in together. Boring. So my first, obviously, is the Panthers. Five years in a row. And my reasoning is, right? I'll bet my left nut. Because they win in, what, 21, right? Mm-hmm. Then they lose players and they go, they can't do it again. They're not going to do it again. They've lost too much. Then they do it again and then they lose players and they go, they're not going to be able to do it again. They can't do it again. They lost too much. Then they do it again.

Then they go, they can't do it again. They've lost more players. They're going to, and then they did it again for a fourth time. So until they lose, there's no other team that you can pick because what are our arguments going to be this year? They lost more players. They're not going to do it. You can't do it again, which they've proven three times in a row. So until they lose, there's no other team that you can pick. In first or to win the comp than the Panthers.

Because they keep proving everyone wrong. I see what you're doing here. I don't want to do it, but I have to. I see what you're doing. You're buying into they're going to do it again, so they do actually lose. But you have to. Well, I'm picking... They've proven us wrong four years in a row. They have to do it. Unfortunately, I'm picking Storm this year to win because they've lost the grand final last year.

And not like every other team that's lost grand finals to Storm, this team, I feel like, has gotten better after they've lost. With other teams, I could not say that about their team, but I think Storm have gotten better this year. No, they've got real good. I'm pretty sure, too, every team that's lost to the Panthers, their coach has been sacked within the next couple of years. So Storm, well, Bellamy's going to retire. Their coach will never get sacked.

So technically. So I think they're going to be better. They've got the scars. I think Storm. I think everyone. So Kyle, who you got winning the premiership? Mate, I already said Bulldogs. You're a fucking idiot. Jeez Louise. Go put some money on that. To be honest, it's either going to be the Bulldogs or the Roosters are going to be the first ones to win them from outside the top four. Okay. Now, it has to be. Podcast is done. You can't go anywhere other than the Panthers. I'm telling you.

Cut the stream. Cut the stream. Get a dog up your values. Apples, apples, apples. Get around it. We'll see you next week for our... What are we doing? Team previews. Podcasts. Up the dogs. Up the doggy. That's what you said last episode. No dog chat next week. With a crew. With a muttling crew. Meow. Talk about muttling.