POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
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POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
What's your strongest possible 2025 Canberra Raiders line up? That's what we are asking the readers of The Greenhouse. We're looking at the "Locks and contenders" for each position in the team in a special series of articles. Some players have clearly locked down their spot but we're looking at all the contenders for places in the Green Machine's top 17. For more contentious positions, we're supplementing the discussion with a series of polls.
In this poll, we're asking: Who should be the starting second rowers in 2025? Most Raiders fans think that Hudson Young has a "lock" on one spot... but the No. 12 is open to the player who wants it most. So, it is over to you... Remember, we're looking at the strongest possible team, irrespective of injuries or suspensions... not the Round 1 team.
Click here to read more: Locks and contenders: Second rowers
You have TWO votes in this poll.
If a player's name who you'd like to vote for is not in the poll, just name them in a post below.
What's your strongest possible 2025 Canberra Raiders line up? That's what we are asking the readers of The Greenhouse. We're looking at the "Locks and contenders" for each position in the team in a special series of articles. Some players have clearly locked down their spot but we're looking at all the contenders for places in the Green Machine's top 17. For more contentious positions, we're supplementing the discussion with a series of polls.
In this poll, we're asking: Who should be the starting second rowers in 2025? Most Raiders fans think that Hudson Young has a "lock" on one spot... but the No. 12 is open to the player who wants it most. So, it is over to you... Remember, we're looking at the strongest possible team, irrespective of injuries or suspensions... not the Round 1 team.
Click here to read more: Locks and contenders: Second rowers
You have TWO votes in this poll.
If a player's name who you'd like to vote for is not in the poll, just name them in a post below.

Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Hope its Nicholson but I havent seen enough of him to honestly pick him. I’d be basically guessing.
Martin should get a few games this year as well.
Martin should get a few games this year as well.
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- Brett Mullins
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I’ve only seen half a dozen games or so since Flegg wasn’t televised much, GE might be a better judge. Looks a decent prospect, pretty physical and quick and rips in. Fair way off first grade though.
Theres a few highlights here:
Theres a few highlights here:
Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Have discussed Joe Roddy in the accompanying story. I certainly rate him.

Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I voted for what i want to see which is Young/Nicholson
Still not entirely convinced Stuart's going to hand the starting spot to a 21 year old who's never played NRL footy and i wont be shocked if he starts the year on the bench and Hosking starts... but most people seem very confident that Nicholson will start, so fingers crossed they're right on this one.
Excited to see Nicholson and what he can do.
Still not entirely convinced Stuart's going to hand the starting spot to a 21 year old who's never played NRL footy and i wont be shocked if he starts the year on the bench and Hosking starts... but most people seem very confident that Nicholson will start, so fingers crossed they're right on this one.
Excited to see Nicholson and what he can do.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Also voted Young, Nicholson. He's played for England and been recruited for the task so he starts there.
Almost voted Martin as I loved his debut- if he doesn't make it won't be because he was overawed! and he did well overall in Cup in the position. He might need a bit more development though, even if I think he can mix it up in the NRL at some stage be it this year or next.
Hosking for my strongest lineup- he was NSW Cup player of the year at lock. So I've got him bench spelling Hors at lock primarily and also a good utility option covering edge/centre from there.
Almost voted Martin as I loved his debut- if he doesn't make it won't be because he was overawed! and he did well overall in Cup in the position. He might need a bit more development though, even if I think he can mix it up in the NRL at some stage be it this year or next.
Hosking for my strongest lineup- he was NSW Cup player of the year at lock. So I've got him bench spelling Hors at lock primarily and also a good utility option covering edge/centre from there.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Huddo is easy.
I went Nicholson as the other for 3 reasons:
1. Hosking is returning from a shoulder injury. May be ready by Rd1, but how affected is his preseason?
2. Rick loves to buy English edges then play them for 80mins immediately outta the gate. Did it with Smelly and Bateo, even if Bateo did play lock.
3. He is a fringe international, and I dont see Ricky benching internationals. He keeps saying he wants them.
I went Nicholson as the other for 3 reasons:
1. Hosking is returning from a shoulder injury. May be ready by Rd1, but how affected is his preseason?
2. Rick loves to buy English edges then play them for 80mins immediately outta the gate. Did it with Smelly and Bateo, even if Bateo did play lock.
3. He is a fringe international, and I dont see Ricky benching internationals. He keeps saying he wants them.
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- Brett Mullins
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Thanks for that Noman - I always appreciate your insights of the up and comers.
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- Brett Mullins
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I've gone Nicholson and Huddo. Can't go wrong with Hosking though - his start to last season was exceptional.
It's a very strong backrow if Nicholson transfers his form to NRL. Love the signs of his hole running and the rangy backrower mould, has a good offload and pass in his game from the games I have watched.
Keen to see what Martin can do as well. He looks a good prospect.
It's a very strong backrow if Nicholson transfers his form to NRL. Love the signs of his hole running and the rangy backrower mould, has a good offload and pass in his game from the games I have watched.
Keen to see what Martin can do as well. He looks a good prospect.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I really love the versatility that Hoskingson brings to the bench so I would be going with Young and Nicholson to start.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
It's probably a pipe dream at this stage but I'd love to see something like 11. Hosking 12. Nicholson 13. Young (Smithies off the bench) with Young to go back to second row for Hosking later in the game. Would make us a more mobile pack imo. I don't think we will start the season lined up like this but I think the team would be better off if that's how we line up by the middle of it.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
11 Huddo
12 Matty
17 Hoskeringsedgeson
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12 Matty
17 Hoskeringsedgeson
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Stuart handed Smithies a starting spot without playing a single NRL game so Matt Nicholson is in the mix.
He’s an international just like Jonneh and Whitehead when they arrived.
I’ll go Nicholson and Young.
He’s an international just like Jonneh and Whitehead when they arrived.
I’ll go Nicholson and Young.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Young and Nicholson.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
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- Don Furner
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Young and Nicholson.
Hosking off the bench.
Hosking off the bench.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability in a specific area grossly overestimate their competence. This often occurs because they lack the knowledge or skills to accurately assess their own abilities, leading to a false sense of confidence.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
Young and Hosking
Haven't seen Nicholson play so can't judge were he fits
Haven't seen Nicholson play so can't judge were he fits
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
X2. Can only vote on what I know.LimeGreenMachine wrote: ↑January 14, 2025, 8:19 am Young and Hosking
Haven't seen Nicholson play so can't judge were he fits
* The author assumes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of information provided.
Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I've only picked Nicholson over Hosking because I really like the versatility Hosking brings on the bench. I expect over the course of the season its rarely going to be a decision we have to make, between injuries/suspension/origin etc I'm guessing all 3 will rotate through.
Though I think based on what he did last year, if fit Hosking deserves to start the year at 2nd row and make Nicholson earn the position. I don't mind the idea others mentioned of Hosking spending some time at Lock and perhaps that means you could move him there late in the half and bring on Nicholson in order to ease him into nrl with ~50min rather than 80.
Though I think based on what he did last year, if fit Hosking deserves to start the year at 2nd row and make Nicholson earn the position. I don't mind the idea others mentioned of Hosking spending some time at Lock and perhaps that means you could move him there late in the half and bring on Nicholson in order to ease him into nrl with ~50min rather than 80.
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I've seen limited action of Nicholson, but he looks good. Runs a good line and is a bit of a competitor.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability in a specific area grossly overestimate their competence. This often occurs because they lack the knowledge or skills to accurately assess their own abilities, leading to a false sense of confidence.
Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
I think Nicholson might find the physicality of NRL a decent hurdle in his first season
Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
And Stuart keeps handing Smithies a starting spot, despite him looking like our worst recruit since Jordan Turner
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Re: POLL: Strongest 2025 line up: Second rowers
He might, but Whitehead handled it.
And heaps of posters thought JB was going to get absolutely rag dolled in the NRL before we saw him play- but his competitive nature and street smarts was more than enough to manage it.