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  1. maple_69

    2024 Panthers

    I definitely think he’ll get a good bag of games this year. Injuries and rep duties will open opportunities if nothing else but as always, Ivan will rotate through his options for a good portion of the season. Whether he can do what Smith did and adapt his big motor game to an impact bench role...
  2. maple_69

    2024 Panthers

    Smith & Fish starting with Leota & Sorenson off the bench would be killer. Hosking & Martin can take the edges with Garner the bench edge/backs cover. Henry can earn his spot and I don't doubt he will. With one of Hosking or Garner on the way out after 2024, there will be a spot for him knowing...
  3. maple_69

    Luai

    The other side of this is the other guys we have off-contract. Hosking, Garner, Turuva, May, Kenny & Sommerton. All guys I think are in our best 17 next year. If Luai signs, I can't imagine we can afford many of those guys, or anyone on more than minimum for those roles in 2025. Which is fine...
  4. maple_69

    Luai

    What most people seem to fail to acknowledge in this discussion is that Penrith have executed the only competent, patient and comprehensive rebuild of a club in modern NRL and Hook was a key piece of that. He had a heap of limitations for sure and was evidently never going to be the guy to take...
  5. maple_69

    2024 Panthers

    I wouldn’t mind pink for 2024. Or maybe that heinous scribble rust/teal number from the mid 00s just to flex on the league. I’d be keen to do a 40 year anniversary of our first finals appearance for 2025 for a meaningful brown strip.
  6. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    He’s a great player but he’s a cherry on top type that isn’t going to win you the arm wrestle himself. As others have said though, the guy is 23 and most props don’t peak until their late 20s. He has steadily increased his minutes over the past few years. 15 months ago he was regularly gassing...
  7. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    I imagine a few guys like Katoa and Puru would be kicking themselves at taking the money/immediate opportunity elsewhere if Luai does move. There’s gonna be no flusher gig in league than our 6 jersey and that’s not discrediting how damn good Luai is, he’s helped built this team. Now though...
  8. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    If you didn’t have doubts over Edwards given his injury record you’d be a madman.
  9. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    Yeah I don’t think you’re wrong. The core of the way we play might lie elsewhere but I suspect the heart of the group culturally is the Luai/Critta/To’o/Leniu contingent. That will be broken up completely over the next two years so we’ll see if we’re able to maintain the mentality that’s taken...
  10. maple_69

    2023 Grand Final Panthers vs Broncos

    We’ve put a lot of work into Smith and he in turn has been very patient. Re-signing him when we need to lock up our 5/8 is a clear sign that we see him as more than a bench prop. He has better hands than Yeo and just as big an engine. Time will tell if he has the game smarts. Either way, Yeo...
  11. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    I reckon he’ll go well at Newie. He got better as he got a bit more time in grade. Maybe not the upside of McLean et al but he can carve out a good career as a strong finisher and decent fundamentals.
  12. maple_69

    2023 Grand Final Panthers vs Broncos

    I've met Tallis a bunch of times for work and he's come across as a great bloke every time. Does he have great footy IQ, probably not, but the guy was a devastating enforcer so I wouldn't hold that against him. He's clearly playing a role and while he's annoying and he's accepted that role...
  13. maple_69

    2023 Grand Final Panthers vs Broncos

    Toxic journos aside, as far as I've seen, sentiment towards Penrith has started turning to respect this year after there was a lot of tall poppy salt and arrogant accusations the last few years. I think our side has matured and settled down, confident in their place at the top. Luai throwing the...
  14. maple_69

    2023 Grand Final Panthers vs Broncos

    As with the Souths match up I can see us controlling possession and territory while Brisbane counter punch from their own half and have some success. That type of game is one the controlling team wins 8/10 times though and that's how our games with Souths have gone over this period. We 100%...
  15. maple_69

    Week 3 Finals v Melbourne

    Jesus what a bollocking that was. The system this club had built prioritising effort and attitude players in a conservative and effort based system means we just rack up the competition points against average teams and can just slowly hone things and then dial in for a few games a year. Many...
  16. maple_69

    Opinion Penrith

    I do agree though. Melbourne 2021 were rubbish and I can't imagine anybody enjoyed Moses Leota single handedly snapping the entire Parramatta community back to reality in a vicious 20 minute assault. The Roosters & Melbourne playing defence first football and choking out the competition for the...
  17. maple_69

    Week 3 Finals v Melbourne

    At the start of the year it looked like we'd be top 4 certainties along with the Roosters. Cows/Sharks/Bunnies were expected to take another step and probably fill out a pretty even top 4-5. Storm & Eels were expected to take a step back but likely be 6-7 type sides. The only sides that have...
  18. maple_69

    Week 3 Finals v Melbourne

    Playing at Accor this week is an advantage in itself. Brisbane would need to come out of their bubble and play on a track they haven’t set foot on all year. It’ll be the 3rd time they leave QLD in 4 months. Plenty of advantage in our preparation, not to mention an extra day for recovery. Sounds...
  19. maple_69

    Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

    You've got Eisenhuth on till end of next year as well who should fill the 13 unless we want to use that spot for one of the kids to develop their ball playing a bit like Hopgood & Smith have done in the past few years. Definitely think we could use a Brendan Elliot type for the backline even...
  20. maple_69

    Week 1 Finals v NZW

    Gotta be a bench of Cogger, Leniu, Smith and Hosking/Garnwr if Luai/Tago are fit. Peach has been solid in an all time team as Salmon has, but Cogger covers halves/hooker better and both Hosking/Garner are better edge options.
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