2016 who do we keep

[Buzzard Breath]

We do we keep?
2016 off contract.
Sitaleki Akauola, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, Josh Mansour, Suaia Matagi, Andy Saunders, James Segeyaro, Will Smith, Tupou Sopoaga, Elijah Taylor, Peter Wallace
Read more at http://www.nospam9/rugby-league/players/off-contract-2016/#gZxRzoEMPKX0Sr7D.99

Segeyaro if his form can improve over the next month. I still believe his best football is ahead of him and if he can stay fit we will benefit from it.

I would like to keep both Jennings bros.

Mansour
Throw a bone to Matagi. been good value so far.

I would only consider keeping Wallace if his form continues at nine and we lost Sege. On the proviso he plays back up 9 to Cherrington (if he comes)
or another rookie rake like Katoa.

Don't know much about Saunders.
Taylor's card has been marked.

Thoughts?

 

[Blade23]

Keep Mansour. I wouldn't been in a rush to re-sign the others until they show form.
Wallace is playing good footy but he should go out on high rather than hang around a year to long.

 

[Frankus]

Sitaleki Akauola - No , George Jennings - No, Robert Jennings - yes, Josh Mansour - yes, Suaia Matagi - yes, Andy Saunders - probably no, James Segeyaro - maybe, Will Smith - no, Tupou Sopoaga - maybe, Elijah Taylor - no, Peter Wallace - yes (Kingston type role)

 

[betcats]

Mansour and Matagi.

 

[Pomoz]

Sitaleki Akauola - No , George Jennings - No, Robert Jennings - yes, Josh Mansour - yes, Suaia Matagi - yes, Andy Saunders - probably no, James Segeyaro - maybe, Will Smith - no, Tupou Sopoaga - maybe, Elijah Taylor - no, Peter Wallace - yes (Kingston type role)

+1

Wallace's influence is vastly underestimated. What makes this whole thing difficult is that it all comes down to money. Until we create a winning culture that consistently delivers, players won't take pay cuts to stay and will always be attracted by big offers from clubs like the Raiders and the Titans. Once players will take less to stay, we know we are on our way as a club.

Segyaro is a case in point. Would like him to stay, but for how much? Titans offer him a mozza then I say "thanks mate, good luck".

 

[snickers007]

I'd be resigning Mansour as a priority.
Rob Jennings and Matagi for 2 years, and Wallace for 1 year.

The rest I'm happy to let go.

With Grevsmuhl coming in, and Fisher-Harris pushing up into the Top 25, that would leave us with 2 more Top 25 spots for 2017, although I think with the right players coming in, blokes like Ben Garcia and Sione Katoa could probably be bumped out of the Top 25.

Looking at the overall list of off contract players, I'm not sure I'm too keen on anyone. I'd probably prefer to lock in some young talent already at the club, and save some cash for 2018.

 

[martielang]

Whats going on with Sopa? I thought he was terrific for us at the back end of last year, yet hasn't made it off the bench in NSW Cup this year.

 

[betcats]

HE seems out of favour for sure, I don't rate Georgallis though that Sam Clune seemed to be doing very well in the halves and now is playing centre for some reason.

Id be keeping George Jennings over Rob I think but I am not fussed about either of them. Rob isn't exactly standing out in NYC this year, he seems to have gone backwards a bit.

 

[chrisD]

Assuming Taylor is gone.

Mansour and Wallace. Question mark on Matagi's defence, probably worth taking up his option anyway, as a 2 10-15min burst player he's probably better value than we'd be able to sign.

Rest are depth and not worth fighting another club over.

 

[Pomoz]

HE seems out of favour for sure, I don't rate Georgallis though that Sam Clune seemed to be doing very well in the halves and now is playing centre for some reason.

Id be keeping George Jennings over Rob I think but I am not fussed about either of them. Rob isn't exactly standing out in NYC this year, he seems to have gone backwards a bit.

Rob had a gruesome injury in first grade when he was bent double. That was a great example of how young players need time to build their bodies to cope with first grade. He probably is a bit down on confidence.

There is a saying that a players game improves the longer they are missing from a team that is struggling. Given enough time out Soward can become better than JT. On a losing streak a player out injured is suddenly the messiah and the answer to everything and better than what is in the team. Memories are short.

We do the same with juniors. They have never played at the top level where they get smashed every week but they are held up to be better than somebody like Peter Wallace who has played hundreds of games. I have seen so many great juniors just not make it for a myriad of reasons, booze, women, physical shortcomings or just plain bad luck (Adam Docker's career was tragically short). I heard the Jennings boys were better than their brother, Rob was the next big thing and so on. He comes into first grade and got smashed into pieces and now is struggling. He may never make it. I hope he does.

We want to try and resign promising juniors, but that is all they are, promising. There is a reason Gus signs a few seasoned journeyman and we need good stayers like Latimore . They have proven staying power. We can't just ditch all the veterans and rely on our juniors delivering, good though they are undoubtedly are in their age group. Balance is key.

 

[snickers007]

We want to try and resign promising juniors, but that is all they are, promising. There is a reason Gus signs a few seasoned journeyman and we need good stayers like Latimore . They have proven staying power. We can't just ditch all the veterans and rely on our juniors delivering, good though they are undoubtedly are in their age group. Balance is key.

Yep this is spot on.

The flip side however, is that the more proven players we sign, the less opportunities our juniors get, and the sooner they bounce.

Look at Chris Smith for example. The guys ahead of him on the pecking order at Penrith aren't exactly seasoned players (Carty, Yeo, Peach are all sub 40 NRL games), and he went to the Roosters.

If we sign Cherrington, we're probably gonna lose Segeyaro, and either Katoa / Soni Luke because the opportunity closes. The question is, can we afford to hang onto Wallace for another season at Hooker, and use the remainder of 2016 and all of 2017 to get Katoa/Luke/ZDC up to NRL standard?

 

[Pomoz]

Yep this is spot on.

The flip side however, is that the more proven players we sign, the less opportunities our juniors get, and the sooner they bounce.

Look at Chris Smith for example. The guys ahead of him on the pecking order at Penrith aren't exactly seasoned players (Carty, Yeo, Peach are all sub 40 NRL games), and he went to the Roosters.

If we sign Cherrington, we're probably gonna lose Segeyaro, and either Katoa / Soni Luke because the opportunity closes. The question is, can we afford to hang onto Wallace for another season at Hooker, and use the remainder of 2016 and all of 2017 to get Katoa/Luke/ZDC up to NRL standard?

That's why Gus and Payne get the big dough and the corner office. The hardest part must be making a call on who is going to make it and then letting them go. Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manu Utd said that it was the hardest part of his job, deciding which youngsters to let go and then telling them. One things for sure, sentimentality ends in tears. The best at it are ruthless. If we do sign Cherrington, somebody has made a call that one of Katoa,Luke,ZDC are not up to it.

Gus must be ruthless, he either sacked or, released through a low offer, Gordon, Lewis, Coote, Jennings, Grant and then Ivan Cleary. You can argue that he got some wrong but he did what he needed to do. All the great clubs do it. Roosters - Jennings gone. He was instrumental in their last premiership. Broncos - Civonoceva, Wally Lewis. Gone. Canterbury - Hodgkinson. Gone.

Glad its not me, I would be in tears sacking good blokes like Coote and Gordon. Having said that, some players I would sack and then hire them again so I could sack them again. I would start with Mark McGaw (Cubic Zirconia) and Trevor Gilmeister (the Penknife). They came, they saw, they took the dosh and they were terrible.

 

[Big Mick]

Matagi is up to him. He has an option in his favour I believe.

Mansour I'd love to keep but not if it's a massive amount of money for a specialist winger.

I'd like to keep Robert Jennings as there is still potential there. George I'm not fussed with any more. I don't think he is the same player. Still young though so depends on if another club i.e. parra come calling.

I'd keep Tupou Sopoaga but IMO I don't think he wants to stay.

Segeyaro I'd like to stay but only if his attitude is right.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Assuming no-one came in (which is unlikely):

Mansour (depending on the price)
R. Jennings
Matagi
Segeyaro

 

[umina panther]

Last time Mansour's contact was up i was happy to see him go but his hands and defense has improved out of sight. He's a must keep at this point

 

[GongPanther]

Safe bet to assume that if one of the Jennings brothers gets the tap on the shoulder,it'll be both of them moving on...to Parra.

 

[Big Mick]

Safe bet to assume that if one of the Jennings brothers gets the tap on the shoulder,it'll be both of them moving on...to Parra.

Replace Gutherson and Takarangi with George and Robert Jennings. Maybe...but I'll take that kid that lit up the Nine's off their hands then.

 

[Kilkenny]

Was always going to be a make or break season for the Jennings boys. Both have had there share of injury, particularly George. At this stage of the season it is hard to see either breaking into the top grade barring some major injury issues to those players in front of them? Time may be running out for them in respect of there careers here at the Panthers.

 

[Blade23]

The Jennings bros may end up at the Tigers rather than Parramatta.

 

[Kilkenny]

Josh Mansour definitely deserves to be offered an upgraded contract. He showed loyalty last time around in resigning for less money than he could have got elsewhere. You know what you get with Josh and although he has the occasional error and defensive misread in his game he delivers on most occasions. He is a quality player and almost always get his job done well. At this point in time there is no one knocking on the door to take his place so I would say he is a must resign.