Rumoured and Confirmed signings - Part 4

[hindy111]

So what are peoples thoughts on what makes a successful season?

For mine anything less than top 4 is a failure. We have spent huge money of Maloney. Merrin and Tamou. At the expemse of some very talented players.

Cleary is no longer a rookie. RCG is now an international prop. 3/4s of our backline are top tier country international players (NZ/AUS). Edwards should be primed for a breakout season.

Our depth is shot to hell. But that's not an excuse when we let our best depth go to be in a better position elsewhere.

Top 4 is a success. Top 8 is acceptable but kind of disappointing to have failed to build om 2016 after 3 years.

Missing the top 8 is unacceptable... and I think we will be a 6th to 10th placed team now. I really think we will struggle to win games the way Maloney is used to.

Finals 3 seasons in a row wpuld atleast make you feel consitantly decent.

 

[hindy111]

And the poor decisions don’t just relate to youth player retention.

Tamou signing was poor (some think we’ll lose another junior because of it)
Whare 5 year deal, I mean WTF?
Peta Hiku signing

Most of this stuff has been more recent, just seems to me that the decisions have been getting worse. But at least he got a player swap out of Moylan.

I thought whare showed his class, especially in finals series. Looked one of your bests.

 

[hindy111]

Moylan is an international... Sharks have offloaded Maloney to us to get him.

Moylan is a better player with more upside. Sharks aren't f**king stupid like Phil Gould is. They pounce on the players he treats like shit and they get good results from them.

Losing players is part of the game... why bother developing anyone when all we're doing is delivering the opposition premierships? We create premiership quality players. Then piss them off before they deliver for us.

We strengthen the opposition at our own expense. Meawhile you want to suck Phil Goulds dick for doing so.

Was Blake Austin a huge loss? He played well last season. I rate as an average half.

Coote was moved on as a younger better player emerged. Gordon by memory for the same thing.
And as far as Lewis,Moylan,Jennings they where on huge $$$

Was Frank Pritchard missed or Grant? They went backwards.

Graheme was the only guy I never understood letting go. Was cheap and at time wished Parra threw him a lifeline.

But while playing this game what about being fair to your club. They picked up Latu, Mansour, Peachey who not many had heard of and turned them into very good players.

Teams like Parra and Penrith with a lot of juniors always will let a few good ones go. And miss some good ones at times.
But even the rooster may regret letting Watson go for Cronk.

 

[Black Magik]

With Maloney and the roster we have Top 4 next year. Anything worse would be a failure.

That is my thoughts also.

Whether Moylan was injured, psychologically unfit or fighting with the coach...who knows, but the fact is the club did what it could to make him happy. TMM was let go to allow for role in the halves which he gave us a memorable 20 minutes. He was given 5 years and the captain role.

Maloney isn't a bad swap IMO.

This whole thing reminds me of Wade Graham. I remember sitting not too far away from him at a Knights game in Newy. He was injured or not selected or something but the guy refused to sit with the team and looked to be there in sufferance rather than reason. We all know what happened next. Wade was going no matter how much we offered him. Difference is Wade was younger and didn't want to wait. I hate watching Wade play now but I know the club couldn't satisfy him. Probably won't feel the same for Matt but understand why he wants to leave.

 

[hindy111]

The big advantage of Maloney is his kicking game, totally agree. Cleary’s kicking needs improving too.

But then Maloney will never have Moylan’s hands & short passing. There’s pros & cons on both sides.

I see why the sharks wanted the deal too. It may appear a risk for them considering Moylan hasn’t played a lot of 5/8, but their team is aging, so bringing in a 26yo playmaker does make some sense.

Halves need a running game to be elite. Maloney takes on the line and is dangerous due to defense unsure if he will pass.
His form was down. So was hakf the sharks team. And the spine of a rookie hooker, Townsend and Holmes not a noted ball player didnt help.

 

[age.s]

Sacking Ronnie the dinosaur was well overdue

Yeah that could have been it. Parra didn't seem to have major issues this season though.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I thought whare showed his class, especially in finals series. Looked one of your bests.

He did look pretty good, but it’s the length of the deal I was questioning. I don’t see how a guy coming back from 2 major injuries can secure a 5 year deal. That’s unusual to say the least, particularly for a non spine player.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Finals 3 seasons in a row wpuld atleast make you feel consitantly decent.

It’d be nothing to sneezed at, but we also have to take the roster into consideration.

Good teams become great by demanding more. Lots of fans seem satisfied with a finals appearance, but the club should be aiming higher.

Top 4 should be the aim in 2018.

 

[TheEroticGamer]

We're no longer a team that aspires to be a hardened, finals experienced side.We are exactly that.We've made the finals three of the last four years and if it weren't for injuries it would be four from four.We didn't win a competition but we've won finals matches.

We shouldn't fear anyone.We should be feared by sides who want to be in our position and by those who has already tasted enough recent success to no longer be as motivated as us.

Maloney could have kicked his feet up and relaxed like many players have done after getting a ring in 2013 but he didn't.He won another comp in 2016 and when he joins us he will show the same type of desire to win another competition.Because that's the type of player he is.He's relentless for success and that's going to rub off on the team.

Top 4 minimum, it must be done.We're a winning club now, let's f***ing act like it.

 

[hindy111]

Yeah that could have been it. Parra didn't seem to have major issues this season though.

Gutherson , French, Frank,Terepo,Kaysa, Scott,hoffman all missed quite a lot of time.
Couldnt blame Ronnie for any. Just coincidence.

 

[hindy111]

He did look pretty good, but it’s the length of the deal I was questioning. I don’t see how a guy coming back from 2 major injuries can secure a 5 year deal. That’s unusual to say the least, particularly for a non spine player.

What recently? I assumed 5yr deal a few yrs back. With his injuries 3 yrs is a risk.And with Penriths jnr system I wouldnt offer any player more then 4 as may risk losing a young gun.
Gould knows the loop holes though. Whare wont play 5 more years.

 

[franklin2323]

The big advantage of Maloney is his kicking game, totally agree. Cleary’s kicking needs improving too.

But then Maloney will never have Moylan’s hands & short passing. There’s pros & cons on both sides.

I see why the sharks wanted the deal too. It may appear a risk for them considering Moylan hasn’t played a lot of 5/8, but their team is aging, so bringing in a 26yo playmaker does make some sense.

Yeah I think both sides will be happy with the trade. Pro's and Cons to both players really

 

[Kilkenny]

I really like the positives the acquisition James Maloney will bring to our side in 2018.

However, I don't think we can really compete for a top four spot unless the likes of Merrin, Tamou and Cartwright perform at there absolute best. All three had disappointing seasons in 2017. I am hopeful the will all improve significantly in 2018.

The other major issue for us surely is the hooker/dummy half role. Peter Wallace has enjoyed a great career and been a great servant for our club but surely it is time to move forward and bring in some one who can threaten the defensive line in addition to providing good service and carrying out the necessary defensive duties.

 

[umina panther]

I really like the positives the acquisition James Maloney will bring to our side in 2018.

However, I don't think we can really compete for a top four spot unless the likes of Merrin, Tamou and Cartwright perform at there absolute best. All three had disappointing seasons in 2017. I am hopeful the will all improve significantly in 2018.

The other major issue for us surely is the hooker/dummy half role. Peter Wallace has enjoyed a great career and been a great servant for our club but surely it is time to move forward and bring in some one who can threaten the defensive line in addition to providing good service and carrying out the necessary defensive duties.

We have hooker covered. Katoa for 2018 with Wallace back up. 2019 and Egan will be ready

 

[herbert henry1908]

What recently? I assumed 5yr deal a few yrs back. With his injuries 3 yrs is a risk.And with Penriths jnr system I wouldnt offer any player more then 4 as may risk losing a young gun.
Gould knows the loop holes though. Whare wont play 5 more years.

Yeah. He signed a few months ago. 5th year is a player option, but that’s effectively 5 years.

He was shocked at being offered 5 years according to this, and he “rushed” to accept it.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/04/11/03/35/whare-shocked-by-panthers-five-year-deal

 

[TheFrog]

Lots of fans seem satisfied with a finals appearance

It does beat the heck out of finishing bottom 4 year in and year out.

 

[Royce is King]

The big thing that I have noticed in the last few days since the swap news has come out, is the views and opinions of many league media, and league fans that have no links with Penrith or the Sharks...... around 90% of the feedback is about what a great deal this is for the Panthers , and how massively we have come out on top with the swap.

I 100% agree.

 

[herbert henry1908]

It does beat the heck out of finishing bottom 4 year in and year out.

No doubt, I just think with the talent this club produces we should be aiming higher, on a regular basis too.

 

[herbert henry1908]

The big thing that I have noticed in the last few days since the swap news has come out, is the views and opinions of many league media, and league fans that have no links with Penrith or the Sharks...... around 90% of the feedback is about what a great deal this is for the Panthers , and how massively we have come out on top with the swap.

I 100% agree.

I think there’s short term benefits for us, now it’s up to the club to capitalise on that.

That said I think a lot of non panthers fans opinions are coloured by how much the media has overhyped Moylan. This deal could still easily turn out very well for Cronulla.

 

[Royce is King]

The thing about Moylan is , the general league fan does not rate him any where near as high as Penrith fans do ..... the views are everywhere.