Match Discussion: Round 7 vs Cronulla @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Zoidberg]

I’ve seen a few stories through the past week mentioning part of the Panthers’ reason for poor performances has been that they’ve had to use 24 players due to injuries. By my count, we’ve used 23 but get no similar sympathy.
I don’t want to use that as an excuse because I’ve been filthy at our recent performances, but the facts are there.

 

[Nuke]

Also: 4x premiers vs 4x barely-in-the-finals.

Vastly different scenarios.

 

[Yosh]

I’ve seen a few stories through the past week mentioning part of the Panthers’ reason for poor performances has been that they’ve had to use 24 players due to injuries. By my count, we’ve used 23 but get no similar sympathy.
I don’t want to use that as an excuse because I’ve been filthy at our recent performances, but the facts are there.

We always have poor seasons though so it's the norm for us.

 

[mozza91]

I’ve seen a few stories through the past week mentioning part of the Panthers’ reason for poor performances has been that they’ve had to use 24 players due to injuries. By my count, we’ve used 23 but get no similar sympathy.
I don’t want to use that as an excuse because I’ve been filthy at our recent performances, but the facts are there.

Injuries only count when it’s the Chooks, Broncos and Penrith.

 

[Haffa]

Also: 4x premiers vs 4x barely-in-the-finals.

Vastly different scenarios.

This. Back luck vs Bad roster management

 

[perverse]

As much as it's a miserable looking year ahead right now... I'm very happy to see Gamble back in the team. Anyone that watched our trials would be excited about his return. He was our best half in the pre-season by a very, very long stretch. Would have moonwalked into the 7 jersey if not for his back.

 

[slotmachine]

Love the Gamblor, but apparently he's no certainty to be right for Sunday.

 

[Yosh]

If Gamble plays well in the 7 for us, do we keep him there next year over Sharpe when Brown gets here? Personally, I'm a Gamble fan so I don't mind him getting first crack at the 7 if he plays well next year. Sharpe has amazing potential but maybe we need him somewhere else on the field for a while. Maybe 14. Not sure.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

If Gamble plays well in the 7 for us, do we keep him there next year over Sharpe when Brown gets here? Personally, I'm a Gamble fan so I don't mind him getting first crack at the 7 if he plays well next year. Sharpe has amazing potential but maybe we need him somewhere else on the field for a while. Maybe 14. Not sure.

No

 

[Yosh]

No

Lol

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

If Gamble plays well in the 7 for us, do we keep him there next year over Sharpe when Brown gets here? Personally, I'm a Gamble fan so I don't mind him getting first crack at the 7 if he plays well next year. Sharpe has amazing potential but maybe we need him somewhere else on the field for a while. Maybe 14. Not sure.

Love Gamble's attitude, great player to have in the roster, but.......the reality is he's a soon to be 29 yr old journeyman with 60 odd games of NRL - He's a fringe first grader & nothing more.

Sharpe shows the potential to be a 200+ NRL star.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

If Gamble plays well in the 7 for us, do we keep him there next year over Sharpe when Brown gets here? Personally, I'm a Gamble fan so I don't mind him getting first crack at the 7 if he plays well next year. Sharpe has amazing potential but maybe we need him somewhere else on the field for a while. Maybe 14. Not sure.

I mean yeah, if he absolutely kills it I'd keep him there for sure

 

[Old dog]

Yes but only until someone better comes along, fact of life

 

[Woody90]

Love the Gamblor, but apparently he's no certainty to be right for Sunday.

Yeah not super promising that he wasn’t in any of the training photos today.

 

[mozza91]

Yeah not super promising that he wasn’t in any of the training photos today.

There was footage of him at training on the news. They also showed footage of Teague so I assume it was from today.

 

[Yosh]

Sexy!!

 

[Nuke]

What's the weather like in Newcastle today?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

What's the weather like in Newcastle today?

Absolutely perfect. Not a cloud in the sky and about 27 degrees here at the moment

 

[speedster]

If Gamble plays well in the 7 for us, do we keep him there next year over Sharpe when Brown gets here? Personally, I'm a Gamble fan so I don't mind him getting first crack at the 7 if he plays well next year. Sharpe has amazing potential but maybe we need him somewhere else on the field for a while. Maybe 14. Not sure.

Yeah, I love Sharpe but he's a running 5/8 which means the shape for plays out the back to Ponga are lost. The Knights need to get the shape out the back going again so I think Sharpe to wing and Gamble to 5/8 with Cogger or, dare I say it, even Hastings back to 7 to get the backline performing as a unit. Missing Lucas for that shape also. Cant also good but also just runs himself too much.

They were worse than an under 8s side in attack last week with Ponga following the play like a lost puppy. Won't be much better today if Sharpe just goes himself too often. Love the kid but needs to learn to ball play a lot more.

 

[Yosh]

Yeah, I love Sharpe but he's a running 5/8 which means the shape for plays out the back to Ponga are lost. The Knights need to get the shape out the back going again so I think Sharpe to wing and Gamble to 5/8 with Cogger or, dare I say it, even Hastings back to 7 to get the backline performing as a unit. Missing Lucas for that shape also. Cant also good but also just runs himself too much.

They were worse than an under 8s side in attack last week with Ponga following the play like a lost puppy. Won't be much better today if Sharpe just goes himself too often. Love the kid but needs to learn to ball play a lot more.

Still think it's 100% a coaching issue and not a personnel issue.