2022 Grand Final. Penrith v Parramatta

[Original Name]

This season was weird in term of how strong it was. For mine, the Sharks and the Cowboys were two of the weakest top 4 teams there has been in a long time (maybe since us in 2010)

The 4-8 were really strong though. Raiders playing the way they dusted Storm in week 1 were pretty dangerous and they came 8th. Just played their gf in week one so couldn't back it up.

 

[Whino]

Quirky stats time.

1st FG premiership in an even number year. 91,03,21,22.

4 Minor Premierships. 3 converted to Titles.

91,03, and 21 contained a player in the backline named Paul.
Smith, Whatuira, and Momirovski.
Sadly that streak is over.

91: HB and Captain.
Dally M second -rower of the year. Cartwright.
A hooker that had played for the Blues. Simmons.

03: HB and Captain.
Dally M not awarded. Tony Puletua named one of David Middleton's Second-Rower of the year.
A hooker that had played for the Blues. Priddis.

21: HB and Co-Captain.
Dally M Second-Rower of the year Kikau.
A hooker that does play for the Blues. Api.

22: HB and Co-Captain
Dally M Second-Rower of the year
Kikau.
A hooker that does play for the Blues. Api.


3 out of 4 titles have a Father and son combination.

 

[soc123_au]

3 out of 4 titles have a Father and son combination.

I'd almost give that a 3.5 rating considering Gus and Brandy's relationship. I cant recall if it was in 5 Star Brandy or Good as Gould, but from reading whichever it was there was definite father/son vibe between the pair.

 

[Whino]

I'd almost give that a 3.5 rating considering Gus and Brandy's relationship. I cant recall if it was in 5 Star Brandy or Good as Gould, but from reading whichever it was there was definite father/son vibe between the pair.

You could say the same with Gould and Fittler.
John Cartwright and Gould were close too.

 

[Whino]

We have had a 1,7, and 9 win the Clive Churchill medal.
Luai needs to win it next year to complete the spine quaddie, and stick it up the arse of all the haters.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

We have had a 1,7, and 9 win the Clive Churchill medal.
Luai needs to win it next year to complete the spine quaddie, and stick it up the arse of all the haters.

Aren't the people who vote on the CC some of the worst haters though?

 

[BxTom]

Quirky stats time.

1st FG premiership in an even number year. 91,03,21,22.

4 Minor Premierships. 3 converted to Titles.

91,03, and 21 contained a player in the backline named Paul.
Smith, Whatuira, and Momirovski.
Sadly that streak is over.

91: HB and Captain.
Dally M second -rower of the year. Cartwright.
A hooker that had played for the Blues. Simmons.

03: HB and Captain.
Dally M not awarded. Tony Puletua named one of David Middleton's Second-Rower of the year.
A hooker that had played for the Blues. Priddis.

21: HB and Co-Captain.
Dally M Second-Rower of the year Kikau.
A hooker that does play for the Blues. Api.

22: HB and Co-Captain
Dally M Second-Rower of the year
Kikau.
A hooker that does play for the Blues. Api.


3 out of 4 titles have a Father and son combination.

Another quirky thing between '03 and 22. The linesman near the Edwards tackle in the GF is the son of the linesman near the Sattler tackle.

 

[Westernised Panther]

We have had a 1,7, and 9 win the Clive Churchill medal.
Luai needs to win it next year to complete the spine quaddie, and stick it up the arse of all the haters.

Just trying to image the look on Kent’s face if that was to materialise next year should we be in the GF.

 

[Iamback]

Aren't the people who vote on the CC some of the worst haters though?

No Australian selectors vote

 

[ColdWetPanther]

No Australian selectors vote

Ah cool; I thought it was the journos.

 

[WestyLife]

I reckon our form with SOS and Salmon in the halves, We still would of won even if that was the side across the finals. We were so far ahead and is good to end the season like it should of

I'm convinced everyone knew this but wanted to make it seem closer because it's not particularly romantic when you're so far ahead of the competition.

 

[John Hamblin]

Someone told me this morning over coffee that IC had given his GF winning ring to the Huth. If this is true speaks volumes for our culture.

 

[maple_69]

I’d thought until a month ago that we’d probably fall back to the group of teams chasing us and be in a real dog fight for the title again next year without Api (mostly) and Kikau. The way they just swanned through the finals and the whole season, really highlighted how far ahead we are as a first grade unit. Throw in utter domination across the grades and it’s hard to imagine another team having the spine, supporting firepower and cohesiveness/conditioning to compete consistently unless we cop massive injuries.

I wonder what rule changes we’ll see to curtail our dominance. Crack 3-4 titles in 6 years and everyone will be out looking for a way to get a break. Kick blockers will be the first target. Maybe Dyl isn’t allowed a pre-season? Something to limit our driving gang tackles?

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Someone told me this morning over coffee that IC had given his GF winning ring to the Huth. If this is true speaks volumes for our culture.

I think I recall reading that too.

 

[Black Diamond]

I think I recall reading that too.

Yep it true, I saw an interview with Huth, he was blown away and extremely grateful to IC

 

[Black Magik]

Someone told me this morning over coffee that IC had given his GF winning ring to the Huth. If this is true speaks volumes for our culture.

I'm sure I saw it on TV after the game. Forgot about it until now so I can. sort of, confirm it.

 

[Blues Riff]

Every player who played first grade should get a ring.

 

[EppingEel]

Have you guys signed anyone apart from garner yet, or are you just going to fill the gaps with your juniors?

 

[Iamback]

Have you guys signed anyone apart from garner yet, or are you just going to fill the gaps with your juniors?

Garner and Hosking only so far

 

[Pomoz]

Have you guys signed anyone apart from garner yet, or are you just going to fill the gaps with your juniors?

Zac Hosking from the Broncos and I believe they are looking for a hooker as backup for Kenny and Luke. Luke hasn't played a season of first grade before and it's a tough position on the body. As far as I'm aware, that's it. We have a few players getting close to being first grade ready and new signings just block their opportunities.

Without doubt, the most important change to development at the Panthers is the willingness to put juniors into the team for a spell so they can learn. Once they start to struggle, back down the grades they go and this process is repeated at every level. They learn what the next level is like, what training and discipline you need for the next level. I think it is especially important for our Pacific Islander heritage players. They have typically progressed through junior grades with a physical advantage over caucasian heritage players who tend to physically mature later and they can get lazy thinking they will always be bigger and stronger than the other players. Then you play against adults and realise that your physical gifts don't make you exceptional any more and somebody like Radley or Murray are likely to cut you in half in a tackle and somebody like NAS or Burgess are likely to smash you into the middle of next week

This year we had the extraordinary circumstance where the NSW cup semi final was played by a team almost full of Jersey Flegg players because First Grade was nearly 100% NSW cup. Of course that also meant SG Ball needed players from Harold Matthews and so on. As soon as the NSW Cup players were back, they were all dropped back down again.

This whole process turns to crap if you start buying too many players outside the club. That said, sometimes you need to shore up certain positions, hooker is our latest weakness. Sometimes you need some experience on the field too. That's why Wallace and Soward were added to help Cleary learn his trade. As the Titans discovered last year, rookie halves will always struggle.

You can thank us later for Hopkins. He has had 9 first grade games and is a great player. If Yeo wasn't here, I am sure he would be a regular first grader.