2019 Discussion

[umina panther]

1 to consider if we don't sort out another good prop would be moving Kikau not a preferred option but he'd kill it anywhere

 

[Whino]

Not sure about pinning too much hope on Grant. According to a Tigers mate of mine he's been lucky to hold on to his spot in reserves. Gone backwards big time. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good but I don't know that we should bill him as a solution to holes in the prop position.

Tbh I think he has being going backwards since his Origin debut in 2012. His stint at Souths was a disaster.
I see him now a first change bench prop at best.

 

[OldPanther]

Agree with all of this.

Edwards is our class fullback.

 

[OldPanther]

Did you watch NSW Cup today? He is no better than Katoa for taking dumb decisions

He was the reason we were in that. As soon as he came on first set a try and he drove the entire set downfield. To say he's no better than Katoa is inaccurate.

 

[OldPanther]

No I was driving up to Forster. Well that sucks haha

I did watch and he was very good.

 

[Copperhead]

He was the reason we were in that. As soon as he came on first set a try and he drove the entire set downfield. To say he's no better than Katoa is inaccurate.

It's easier to look good in reserve grade.

 

[Luke Bowden]

1 to consider if we don't sort out another good prop would be moving Kikau not a preferred option but he'd kill it anywhere

No thanks. He could be the best edge forward in the game. I don’t think moving him is a good idea.

 

[OldPanther]

It's easier to look good in reserve grade.

He looks better in first grade as well. He got injured in the first half of the round 24 Warriors game.

No thanks. He could be the best edge forward in the game. I don’t think moving him is a good idea.

Yeah leave him there.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Panthers fans are weird - we go crazy over fast and/or skillful juniors in non-essential positions who are prone to brain explosions and who never really have the consistency to be relied on when game management is needed (Blake, RCG, Kikau, Cartwright, DWZ, JFH) but get all picky and critical over anyone in the spine (Moylan, Egan, Cleary to an extent, Katoa, Cartwright when he moved there, even Edwards is deemed not good enough by some here). It all adds up to a team of individuals who of course can win a game out of nowhere sometimes, but who have no clue how to approach a tight game. Mostly we either race to a lead, or come back from well behind - we have no clue what to do when we are evenly matched and need to play percentages.

 

[Copperhead]

He looks better in first grade as well. He got injured in the first half of the round 24 Warriors game.

They both look like reserve graders to me. Just have to hope one of them kicks on.

 

[OldPanther]

They both look like reserve graders to me. Just have to hope one of them kicks on.

A full off season should help whoever. Losing Wallace didn't help.

 

[OldPanther]

Panthers fans are weird - we go crazy over fast and/or skillful juniors in non-essential positions who are prone to brain explosions and who never really have the consistency to be relied on when game management is needed (Blake, RCG, Kikau, Cartwright, DWZ, JFH) but get all picky and critical over anyone in the spine (Moylan, Egan, Cleary to an extent, Katoa, Cartwright when he moved there, even Edwards is deemed not good enough by some here). It all adds up to a team of individuals who of course can win a game out of nowhere sometimes, but who have no clue how to approach a tight game. Mostly we either race to a lead, or come back from well behind - we have no clue what to do when we are evenly matched and need to play percentages.

Recency bias as far as Edwards is concerned. He was an elite fullback and people have forgotten since he's been injured.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

1. Edwards
2. DWZ
3. Blake
4. Whare
5. Mansour (but on reputation rather than recent form)
6. Maloney
7. Cleary
8. ???
9. Egan
10. ???
11. Kikau
12. Yeo
13. ???

14. Tamou
15. RCG
16. ???
17. ???

I think we still have serious weaknesses in the squad. I'm still not sold on JFH or Leota long-term, May is overrated, Merrin is probably leaving. Our forward pack is a mess.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Recency bias as far as Edwards is concerned. He was an elite fullback and people have forgotten since he's been injured.

I mean, I think DWZ has been fine a fullback, and if we didn't have Edwards, the position would be his (shit work in the Lewis try last night notwithstanding). But 1. Edwards/2. DWZ is better than 1. DWZ/2. Whatever other winger we have next season

 

[umina panther]

No thanks. He could be the best edge forward in the game. I don’t think moving him is a good idea.

Its not my pick but it depends on who we can bring in

 

[TheFrog]

Yeo (C) is more important than anything

I don't particularly agree it is more important than anything, but I wouldn't complain if he did get the job. It is a poisoned chalice. I suspect Jimmy will be captain. Presumably we need to appoint a coach who will appoint a captain.

 

[OldPanther]

I mean, I think DWZ has been fine a fullback, and if we didn't have Edwards, the position would be his (shit work in the Lewis try last night notwithstanding). But 1. Edwards/2. DWZ is better than 1. DWZ/2. Whatever other winger we have next season

I agree. DWZ can still contribute from wing on kick returns if needed and is a much better choice than Phillips or whoever is the next option.

1. Edwards
2. DWZ
3. Blake
4. Whare
5. Mansour (but on reputation rather than recent form)
6. Maloney
7. Cleary
8. ???
9. Egan
10. ???
11. Kikau
12. Yeo
13. ???

14. Tamou
15. RCG
16. ???
17. ???

I think we still have serious weaknesses in the squad. I'm still not sold on JFH or Leota long-term, May is overrated, Merrin is probably leaving. Our forward pack is a mess.

Unfortunately Hetherington seems to be the next forward option which is stupidity.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Its not my pick but it depends on who we can bring in

I’ve never been a fan of weakening one position to fill another.

 

[Copperhead]

I’ve never been a fan of weakening one position to fill another.

Also, we tried it and he wasn't nearly as effective. He found form when Potter and then Brennan moved him back out wide.

 

[herbert henry1908]

The more I think about it, Hooker is absolutely the priority. Along with sorting out the props.

The forward pack can come good with a few tweaks, wouldn’t give up on anyone other than perhaps Merrin.

But Hooker needs to be sorted. I’d even give serious consideration to moving Maloney on if we could land a high quality 9. But given that’s unlikely I’ll settle for a solid journeyman like Rein until one of Katoa or Egan comes good.