2007....Are we really looking at a long year?

[Kilkenny]

I disagree.The more time he gets on the park the better.He would slot comfortably into 5/8,half back or lock if he was given the chance.

Your missing the very reason he is having such an impact. That is the fact he is coming into the game of the bench and from the dummy half role.

Aiton isn't a half or 5/8 and never has been since being drafted into grade. These positions are all sides key playmakers. Aiton doesn't fulfil this role and doesn't have the attributes necessary for these key positions.

Lock would be the only option but as I said previously you would run the risk of dampening his impact by turning him into a workhorse. Waterhouse is a classic example of someone whose attacking impact has been lessened as a result of the defensive workload he has been called upon to do.

The more time on the park means the more work he has to do in defence which will dull his attacking capabilities. Leave things as they are for the time being. He young and still developing. For 2007 leave things as they are and have him coming off the bench.

 

[Schijt hoofd]

Your kidding mate.

No doubt Aiton is having a great impact coming off the bench but he would be even better starting the match.Next year when our side has structure,he would be a big hit in the halves.Hes fast on his feet,strong,great passing game and reads the game well.His kicking game would only get better with practice and he would be playing next to 1 of the best half backs in the world in Gower.

At the moment we have someone playing 5/8 who defends on the wing and has 1 of the worst kicking games in the competition.

 

[Kilkenny]

Your kidding mate.

At the moment we have someone playing 5/8 who defends on the wing and has 1 of the worst kicking games in the competition.

No arguments from me about the problems with Preston defending on the wing or the fact his kicking game is not always spot on. I've been advocating for two seasons that Preston should be defending in the normal 5/8 role where any defensive lapses would more likely be able to be covered up.

I reiterate, Aiton is not a 5/8 or half as these are specialist playmaker positions that you don't just suddenly practise in for a couple of training sessions all of a sudden your the sides main or secondary playmaker. It may work for a week or two, ie Luke Priddis but it is not a long term viable option.

We should not be destroying young Aiton's career by pushing him into a role which he is entirely not suited to.

 

[NK Arsenal]

No we are not. All we need to do is learn how to hold on to a lead and not concede Field Goals in extra time.
It would be nice if we signed 2 or 3 good players...I'd like our backline like:
1. Wesser
2. Gordon
3. Lewis
4. Mellars (From Roosters)*+
5. Rooney
6. Wing (From Roosters)*+
7. Gower
The forward pack should be as strong as possible:
8. Clinton
9. Priddis
10. Guttenbeil (From Warriors)+
11. Pritchard
12. Puletua (c)
13. Waterhouse
Our bench should be 3 young players and one with experience, 3 of which forwards and the other a utility:
14. Norrie
15. Cross
16. Rodney
17. Aiton

Notes:
+ = have not been in contact in any way with panthers management (as far as i know), i just thought that they'd be good players for the panthers.
* = it would be good to get some players from the roosters instead of them taking ours for a change :BDH:

 

[Schijt hoofd]

We should not be destroying young Aiton's career by pushing him into a role which he is entirely not suited to.

Maybe we should just be happy to keep him on the bench then and watch another club snap him up after next year because they have a starting role for him.

The young bloke has all the skills.A full off season training there and he would be fine.To say it would destroy his career is just total garbage.

 

[Kilkenny]

No we are not. All we need to do is learn how to hold on to a lead and not concede Field Goals in extra time.
It would be nice if we signed 2 or 3 good players...I'd like our backline like:
1. Wesser
2. Gordon
3. Lewis
4. Mellars (From Roosters)*+
5. Rooney
6. Wing (From Roosters)*+
7. Gower
The forward pack should be as strong as possible:
8. Guttenbeil (From Warriors)+
9. Priddis
10. Pritchard
11. Rodney
12. Puletua (c)
13. Waterhouse
Our bench should be 4 young players, 3 of which forwards and the other a utility:
14. Norrie
15. Cross
16. Bell
17. Aiton

Notes:
+ = have not been in contact in any way with panthers management (as far as i know), i just thought that they'd be good players for the panthers.
* = it would be good to get some players from the roosters instead of them taking ours for a change :BDH:

I would love Craig Wing. Of all the players (Lyon aside) who have been talked about as possible recruits I think he would be a fabulous acquisition and really improve the overall quality of the side.

Unforunately, as a I have posted on Panthers Interactive (In my alter ego that only Fibroman knows) it will not and will never happen. Sadly.

As for Vince Mellars well he is probably viable but again sadly is no better or cheaper than the centre we have allowed to leave in Danny Galea.

I like your selection of Awen Guttenbiel. I could see him in a Panther jumper for two seasons or so. Still has something to offer in the top flight and all things being equal the Warriors will not be able to retain him. Probably go to the Dragons or Manly though as they obviously still have plenty of money to spend.

 

[Big Mick]

No arguments from me about the problems with Preston defending on the wing or the fact his kicking game is not always spot on. I've been advocating for two seasons that Preston should be defending in the normal 5/8 role where any defensive lapses would more likely be able to be covered up.

I reiterate, Aiton is not a 5/8 or half as these are specialist playmaker positions that you don't just suddenly practise in for a couple of training sessions all of a sudden your the sides main or secondary playmaker. It may work for a week or two, ie Luke Priddis but it is not a long term viable option.

We should not be destroying young Aiton's career by pushing him into a role which he is entirely not suited to.

Agree with you 100%.

Aiton is happy to just be playing first grade at the moment.

He is learning his craft from the best hooker in the business. In 2009 he will take over from Priddis at hooker.

He is not a five-eight. He will not be able to learn how to kick to a first grade standard in time. We have seen this year what happens when rely on one player to kick all the time....lets not make this same mistake again.

 

[Kilkenny]

The true Panther supporters from this forum now need to accept there will be no high profile signings for 2007.

We will make signings but they will be along the lines of the signings of last season ie ESL, Queensland Cup and Bartercard Cup. Sad but true.

Craig Stapleton from the relegated Leigh in the ESL was obviously the best signing and the only unqualified success. Signed for $37.500 we have allowed him to leave for $100.00-00. Sad but true.

Brian Norrie has been reasonable and injuries have hindered his progress. He is best described as solid and will never make any rep sides but can do a job.

The jury is still out on the likes of Bob Blair and Chris Newton. It should be remembered I guess that Michael Gordon didnt jump out of the ground the minute he arrived from the Queensland Cup and say pick me. He bided his time and since getting his opportunity has made every post a winner. (I admit I have to eat humble pie as I openly stated on this forum that he was not up to NRL standard. I am openly pleased to admit I was wrong.)

My guess is none of us are in a position to predict who it will be we are going to recruit for 2007. None of us predicted Mark O'Halloran and the abovementioned, how could we! It will be more of the same. There will be no high profile signings as there are none left. There will be no highly promising players from the Premier League as the best have already been snapped up.

I have supported the Panthers since there inception. 40 years apparently. I am used to it. The next successful Panthers side will be on the back of junior talent. So aside from the odd successful recruit from the ESL, Bartercard Cup, Queensland Cup we are totally relient upon Alex Ranieri, Jarrod Sammut, Michael Jennings, Steve O'Beirne, Daniel King, Matthew Forwood, Tim Grant and a host of other young players coming thru the ranks making the grade for 2007 and beyond.

We just have to accept it as we are Panther supporters and that;s the way it is.

 

[Kilkenny]

Sorry I neglected to invite the comments from the above post from Fibroman.

Fibro, I know your out there.

If you read this before I next see you at the Paceway what's your assessment.

I know you'll agree with me. By the way you knee problems rule you out of a comeback so even though you are an outside back your time has passed.

The last time you ran sub 11 seconds for the 100 metres is now a decade ago!

 

[Schijt hoofd]

Agree with you 100%.

Aiton is happy to just be playing first grade at the moment.

He is learning his craft from the best hooker in the business. In 2009 he will take over from Priddis at hooker.

He is not a five-eight. He will not be able to learn how to kick to a first grade standard in time. We have seen this year what happens when rely on one player to kick all the time....lets not make this same mistake again.

Do you honestly think he is going to wait 2 years to have a crack at a starting position.He will be gone to another club by then if thats going to be our clubs attitude.

Why dont you ask Mat Elliott what he thinks of Aiton.Its his opinion that counts next season anyway.

 

[Big Mick]

well why don't you seeing as you have such a great relationship with him.

 

[Schijt hoofd]

I'm not the one who can't tell that Aiton is a class act and would have no problem making the switch to the halves.

What ever position he plays,he's not going to hang around for 2 more years coming off the bench.

 

[Panthers_God]

No we are not. All we need to do is learn how to hold on to a lead and not concede Field Goals in extra time.
It would be nice if we signed 2 or 3 good players...I'd like our backline like:
1. Wesser
2. Gordon
3. Lewis
4. Mellars (From Roosters)*+
5. Rooney
6. Wing (From Roosters)*+
7. Gower
The forward pack should be as strong as possible:
8. Guttenbeil (From Warriors)+
9. Priddis
10. Pritchard
11. Rodney
12. Puletua (c)
13. Waterhouse
Our bench should be 4 young players, 3 of which forwards and the other a utility:
14. Norrie
15. Cross
16. Bell
17. Aiton

Notes:
+ = have not been in contact in any way with panthers management (as far as i know), i just thought that they'd be good players for the panthers.
* = it would be good to get some players from the roosters instead of them taking ours for a change :BDH:

No Clinton??



I cant see us signing Wing or Mellars.


I think the problem we have out at Penrith is the same as the trouble Canberra have. Now with most of the gun NRL players being in their young 20's they consider the club they will be playing for aswell as the lifestyle they will encounter at that club. I mean I LOVE living out Penrith way but I guess most people would rather be living on the beaches. I remember reading that Canberra have such difficulty signing gun players because nobody wants to live in Canberra.

I bring this up because at the end of last season when Ben Ross left I asked him why and he said, "Because there's no surf out at Penrith".

It leaves a sour taste in my mouth but I guess that part of the reality. I think that the management can try their hardest but their are just some players that Penrith will never be able to sign because of this point.

BUT their are still plenty out the who I'm sure would love it out here and hopefully we get new singings. If not we can always rely on our outstanding junior leagues at producing NRL stars as it has done for many years and many years to come.

Just stay positive Panther fans it will all hopefully work its way out!!!

 

[*Sandy*]

I'm not the one who can't tell that Aiton is a class act and would have no problem making the switch to the halves.

What ever position he plays,he's not going to hang around for 2 more years coming off the bench.

I happen to agree with you.

We had a class act in Craig Gower. The only way he could make the starting 13 side was to switch roles. He then became a Dally M Hooker whilst perfecting it.

If Aiton is indeed a class act he will do whatever it takes to be a starter.

Another Gower - I could definately handle that!

 

[Big Mick]

yeah but the difference.

Gower through his entire career up until First Grade was a five-eight or Halfback.

Aiton...has always been a Hooker.

If you've never played five-eight before, you can't just throw someone in the deep end, its not fair to them.

Sure the kid has class i'm not doubting that, but he aint no five-eight. He'd get eaten alive with his lack of kicking game and as a result so would the team.

 

[dontmakemeangry]

very long year it would seem.............

 

[NK Arsenal]

No Clinton??

Woops forgot about him ill fix my post up now :lol:.

 

[Kilkenny]

My 12 year daughter takes all the credit for the emergence of Paul Aiton sooner than might otherwise have been expected. She was speaking to him months before the start of this season and wished him luck for the up coming new season and told him he would break into the top grade this season. She was right when most supporters probably hadn't even heard or noticed Aiton prior to this season.

He is a terrific talent as anyone who had watched him develop during 2004/2005 and since he has broken into the top grade. I haven't seen him play in any position other than dummy half/hooker. The reason I haven't seen him in any other position is the fact he is a dummy half/hooker.

Neither John Lang this season nor Matt Elliot next season is going to make any attempt to transform him into a half or 5/8. It won't happen and nor should it.

 

[flash]

I was thinking the other day this year reminds me of the years 1993/94 for Penrith. Coming off a recent GF win, we had lost some key personell from that win, bought some useless 'quality' centres in McGaw, and my namesake Ash the Flash Gordon, (Hookey, O'Halloran), unearthed a fine goalkicking centre/winger in Girdler, Sing (M.Gordon/???), and had a champion Halfback struggling for form through injury. Then we continued to lose players, and sign absolute duds like Gillard, Freeman, Gillmeister, Gaffey to replace the likes of Alexander, Geyer, Dunn and Co.

Hopefully 2007 and beyond end up better than mid 90's, at least we changed coach earlier this time.

 

[Kilkenny]

I was thinking the other day this year reminds me of the years 1993/94 for Penrith. Coming off a recent GF win, we had lost some key personell from that win, bought some useless 'quality' centres in McGaw, and my namesake Ash the Flash Gordon, (Hookey, O'Halloran), unearthed a fine goalkicking centre/winger in Girdler, Sing (M.Gordon/???), and had a champion Halfback struggling for form through injury. Then we continued to lose players, and sign absolute duds like Gillard, Freeman, Gillmeister, Gaffey to replace the likes of Alexander, Geyer, Dunn and Co.

Hopefully 2007 and beyond end up better than mid 90's, at least we changed coach earlier this time.

Flash, cant argue with you about most of the above but geez I thought the two years Gary Freeman was with the club he was worth every cent. I didn't rate Freeman before he came to the Panthers but watching him week in week out in the flesh he was one of the most determined and committed footballers I've ever seen. (Gowie and Mick Stephenson aside) Sure he didn't have Greg Alexander's natural talent but he more than made up more it in commitment. Freeman gave 110% every time he ran out on the football field for the Panthers. Our lack of success in those two years were not due to a lack of effort of Freeman's part.