2020 season

[herbert henry1908]

They aren't just building his size, the head of high performance spoke about this in one of those earlier vidoes, specifically about not pushing players to get bigger and stronger just for the sake of it and how that is not a good thing.

They are increasing his athletic ability, they have multiple physios and trainers and doctors who put together these training plans mate its not just some guy smashing weights so he can walk around with his shirt off.

I’ve no doubt it was done under quality supervision & training, my point is I hope there was more focus on the areas of his game that needed the most improvement.

 

[betcats]

I’ve no doubt it was done under quality supervision & training, my point is I hope there was more focus on the areas of his game that needed the most improvement.

No reason to suggest there wasn’t. There was more than one article about our attack needing to improve and Nathan’s role in that. Nathan was quoted, Barret was quoted. They specifically spoke about try assists and needing to replace all of Jimmys assist, so IMO it’s fair to say it was a focus.

 

[OldPanther]

No reason to suggest there wasn’t. There was more than one article about our attack needing to improve and Nathan’s role in that. Nathan was quoted, Barret was quoted. They specifically spoke about try assists and needing to replace all of Jimmys assist, so IMO it’s fair to say it was a focus.

This was probably my favourite part of the off season. They owned up and didn't deliver the usual PR lines. There's a sense of personal responsibility and measures put in place to improve. Granted we won't know until kick off if it worked but it's a nice start.

 

[betcats]

This was probably my favourite part of the off season. They owned up and didn't deliver the usual PR lines. There's a sense of personal responsibility and measures put in place to improve. Granted we won't know until kick off if it worked but it's a nice start.

Yeah for sure. Whether or not they have addressed these issues effectively we won’t know until the season but as far as identifying the issues, just about everything we fans have pointed out they have at least tried to address.

 

[herbert henry1908]

No reason to suggest there wasn’t. There was more than one article about our attack needing to improve and Nathan’s role in that. Nathan was quoted, Barret was quoted. They specifically spoke about try assists and needing to replace all of Jimmys assist, so IMO it’s fair to say it was a focus.

I take your point, there’s definitely been an effort to rectify the problems in attack. But I still remain surprised there was much focus on Nathan’s physicality at all. It’s never been a problem.

I also have concerns that bulking up will inhibit his playmaking. We’ll see.

 

[Panfa]

1 good thing about Nathan being bigger is his body will be able to take the hits better when he goes to the line and puts runners in holes.Hopefully the 5kg of muscle doesn't slow him down because as a halfback you need to be very quick over 20-30 meters.He must have done a fair bit of shoulder work in the off season his traps were huge in the parra trial.

 

[betcats]

I take your point, there’s definitely been an effort to rectify the problems in attack. But I still remain surprised there was much focus on Nathan’s physicality at all. It’s never been a problem.

I also have concerns that bulking up will inhibit his playmaking. We’ll see.

RL is a physically brutal sport, IMO the most brutal and Nathan is a professional athlete, it would be far more suprising if there wasn't a focus on improving his physical abilities.

I also think the club is trying to talk any and all positives as much as possible.

What makes you think it will effect his playmaking?

 

[Blues Riff]

Halfbacks get absolutely smashed by huge buggers, especially the elite ones. Adding muscle mass will reduce the risk of injury and increase longevity of Nathan's career. It's not hard.
@Panfa, yeah mate, the pool work sure helped his upper body. After his foot operation, he spent a fair bit of time in the water.

 

[herbert henry1908]

RL is a physically brutal sport, IMO the most brutal and Nathan is a professional athlete, it would be far more suprising if there wasn't a focus on improving his physical abilities.

I also think the club is trying to talk any and all positives as much as possible.

What makes you think it will effect his playmaking?

If he was small to begin with i’d understand, but that part of the game has never been a problem for him.

I think it *might* effect his playmaking because typically 7’s are small and nimble, allowing them to duck, weave and create space. I’m *not* saying it’s a certainty, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most 7’s are smaller.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Halfbacks get absolutely smashed by huge buggers, especially the elite ones. Adding muscle mass will reduce the risk of injury and increase longevity of Nathan's career. It's not hard.
.

Then why aren’t all 7’s built like a brick shithouse?

 

[betcats]

If he was small to begin with i’d understand, but that part of the game has never been a problem for him.

I think it *might* effect his playmaking because typically 7’s are small and nimble, allowing them to duck, weave and create space. I’m *not* saying it’s a certainty, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most 7’s are smaller.

Cleary has never been a small player that has relied on ducking and weaving to create space so he should be fine assuming his mobility hasn't suffered.

 

[betcats]

Then why aren’t all 7’s built like a brick shithouse?

Why don't we have a bunch of Alfie langers and chris sandows running around?

Neither question proves anything.

The idea that all 7s are small is just wrong IMO. Id argue most are closer to Nathans size then Alfie langers size.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I think I prefer the Kool Aid I chose to drink.

Nathan will have a great season.

The team will improve

Panthers home ground will be sold out reguarly

We will have a great season.

Nathan is approaching Gower's and Fitlers size.

Sauce will again be great.

Ivan will stake his claim as being a good coach

I like what the coaching staffs seem to have done in the off season.

If others want to don full 'funeral mouring garb' Go for it.

I know who'll be having more fun

ME (and others that are positive)

Hold your hats are get ready for the ride.

 

[OldPanther]

1 good thing about Nathan being bigger is his body will be able to take the hits better when he goes to the line and puts runners in holes.Hopefully the 5kg of muscle doesn't slow him down because as a halfback you need to be very quick over 20-30 meters.He must have done a fair bit of shoulder work in the off season his traps were huge in the parra trial.

Something people don't realise is muscle makes you faster not slower. The muscle he has put on in the legs and abdomin will be where he gets the power needed for acceleration.

 

[OldPanther]

Then why aren’t all 7’s built like a brick shithouse?

He looks like the kind of guy who would be naturally prone to being a bit bigger. I'd say he was always going to get there with the training requirements of the NRL regardless.

 

[OldPanther]

Cleary has never been a small player that has relied on ducking and weaving to create space so he should be fine assuming his mobility hasn't suffered.

Check out my post about runners and muscle. I was a sprinter in my younger days. The muscle should make him quicker if anything.

Something people don't realise is muscle makes you faster not slower. The muscle he has put on in the legs and abdomin will be where he gets the power needed for acceleration.

 

[franklin2323]

Let's see how that translates on field then. If that's true we can expect more tackle breaks and better defence yes?

I'm more interested in his try/line break assists.

That will depend on the side picked. If the back 5 is as we predict then wins will be grinded out

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Something people don't realise is muscle makes you faster not slower. The muscle he has put on in the legs and abdomin will be where he gets the power needed for acceleration.

League players get their power also from the wideness of their bottoms. That propels them with strength and speed.

Joey being called 'Bargarse'. Look at Michael Jennings speed and power comes from bottom.

The extra muscle won't affect Nathan's speed. Helps increase it, gives him extra confidence to take the line on. Harder to handle strength and speed.

How many tries has he already scored this year with a run from a standing start (compared to last year)

Good signs.

My Kool Aid tastes lovely.

 

[betcats]

Check out my post about runners and muscle. I was a sprinter in my younger days. The muscle should make him quicker if anything.

Yep adding muscle is the way to improve speed and explosiveness(The Olympic lifts and explosive repititve movements with weights we see in the training vids are specific exercises they ae doing to be more explosive). If you don't do it the right way of course it can hamper speed and mobility but these guys have a team of people making sure they are doing it right.

 

[betcats]

League players get their power also from the wideness of their bottoms. That propels them with strength and speed.

Joey being called 'Bargarse'. Look at Michael Jennings speed and power comes from bottom.

The extra muscle won't affect Nathan's speed. Helps increase it, gives him extra confidence to take the line on. Harder to handle strength and speed.

How many tries has he already scored this year with a run from a standing start (compared to last year)

Good signs.

My Kool Aid tastes lovely.

Everyone gets their power from their asses, its our biggest muscle.