2020 season

[franklin2323]

For me if Luai can play direct he's good. He just doesn't anymore except when he plays at hooker for some reason.

Or play him in 1 which won’t happen. So sadly 1 or the other

 

[franklin2323]

I think there’s way too much hype about Burton. It could be on the money, but I’ve seen this movie before.

A few differences with the likes of Crichton and Burton. Having the academy all their time here.
When they won the National 18’s Fifita was against them so beat quality side.
The main thing is no stupid deal and needing to earn a place

 

[herbert henry1908]

A few differences with the likes of Crichton and Burton. Having the academy all their time here.
When they won the National 18’s Fifita was against them so beat quality side.
The main thing is no stupid deal and needing to earn a place

Until we see the results in FG of the academy I’m not placing much stock in it.

Fact is we’ve seen a heap of Penrith juniors hyped up as the next big thing.

We haven’t produced a genuine star in the spine since the 90’s.

 

[franklin2323]

Until we see the results in FG of the academy I’m not placing much stock in it.

Fact is we’ve seen a heap of Penrith juniors hyped up as the next big thing.

We haven’t produced a genuine star in the spine since the 90’s

(And no I don’t include Cleary as a star)

All valid points but at some stage the affects of the academy will take place. This should be the start of it

 

[herbert henry1908]

All valid points but at some stage the affects of the academy will take place. This should be the start of it

I know I’ll be accused of being a pessimist, but why would you be confident the academy will work? I think it’s a great initiative, makes a lot of sense, but look at our coaching history. It’s abysmal.

Only thing that will convince me it’s working is results on the field. I’ll wait until then.

 

[Fangs]

The academy is kinda like the bunker. It should help out but we've got little to show in the way of results. Not something you do away with, its a good start.

I don't know who is the top tier halves coach either. Andrew Johns is one of the greatest but that doesn't necessarily make you a good coach. I'm interested to see what impact Barrett has.

 

[OldPanther]

I know I’ll be accused of being a pessimist, but why would you be confident the academy will work? I think it’s a great initiative, makes a lot of sense, but look at our coaching history. It’s abysmal.

Only thing that will convince me it’s working is results on the field. I’ll wait until then.

Being pessimistic would be ignoring evidence. I don't think you're that type.

 

[OldPanther]

The academy is kinda like the bunker. It should help out but we've got little to show in the way of results. Not something you do away with, its a good start.

I don't know who is the top tier halves coach either. Andrew Johns is one of the greatest but that doesn't necessarily make you a good coach. I'm interested to see what impact Barrett has.

Apparently Matty Johns is actually the better halves coach. There seems to be a common thought that guys like Joey did it so naturally they don't teach it as well as guys who had to really study the game.

 

[franklin2323]

The academy is kinda like the bunker. It should help out but we've got little to show in the way of results. Not something you do away with, its a good start.

I don't know who is the top tier halves coach either. Andrew Johns is one of the greatest but that doesn't necessarily make you a good coach. I'm interested to see what impact Barrett has.

Early days still

 

[Kilkenny]

We produce plenty of quality young players who develop into NRL players. Perhaps not to many can be considered superstars of the game but they are few and far between. Look at our top 30 it is predominantly young players we have developed and we should be proud of that. I don’t think we talk up our young prospects too much I just think it is the excitement around there potential and that is natural for fans. The one player who perhaps was talked up far beyond his capability was RCG. The current hype around Burton is just excitement. He may develop into a top quality player he may not doesn’t mean the fans can’t be excited about his potential.

 

[franklin2323]

I know I’ll be accused of being a pessimist, but why would you be confident the academy will work? I think it’s a great initiative, makes a lot of sense, but look at our coaching history. It’s abysmal.

Only thing that will convince me it’s working is results on the field. I’ll wait until then.

You look at evidence that isn’t pessimistic.

Lets look at a half. It isn’t uncommon for one to dominate lower grades and still have faults. Until the player hits Flegg and games get televised coaching staff may not spot the issue with say a long pass.

Having 15/16 year olds train and recording can pick up such stuff. Allows the forwards the best equipment in the gym

 

[herbert henry1908]

You look at evidence that isn’t pessimistic.

Lets look at a half. It isn’t uncommon for one to dominate lower grades and still have faults. Until the player hits Flegg and games get televised coaching staff may not spot the issue with say a long pass.

Having 15/16 year olds train and recording can pick up such stuff. Allows the forwards the best equipment in the gym

There’s no doubt it could help, I’m just not sold on the coaching. If it works it could be Gus’ best legacy.

 

[Kilkenny]

There’s no doubt it could help, I’m just not sold on the coaching. If it works it could be Gus’ best legacy.

our academy and indeed those of our competitors involve so many different facets not just coaching. It’s a facility that caters for so many different things under the one roof so to speak. From rehab to gym to diet just about everything. In the short time it has been open no we haven’t won a premiership and if that is your benchmark then perhaps we have failed. It is a great facility and one we should be proud of. It does add value to what we are trying to achieve and our time will come.

 

[Kilkenny]

There’s no doubt it could help, I’m just not sold on the coaching. If it works it could be Gus’ best legacy.

I think Gould’s legacy was his handshake deal with Wayne Bennett.

It wasn’t to be but I think in hindsight perhaps he was the short term option to get the best out our playing group.

Well never know, he was undermined by Big Dave, and it is what it is.

 

[herbert henry1908]

our academy and indeed those of our competitors involve so many different facets not just coaching. It’s a facility that caters for so many different things under the one roof so to speak. From rehab to gym to diet just about everything. In the short time it has been open no we haven’t won a premiership and if that is your benchmark then perhaps we have failed. It is a great facility and one we should be proud of. It does add value to what we are trying to achieve and our time will come.

My benchmark doesn’t put it at a fail or a pass yet, as I’ve said, it’s too early to tell.

What my benchmark will be is *more* success for our FG team. We’ve always had good juniors, so it’s about preparing them for FG.

 

[Kilkenny]

My benchmark doesn’t put it at a fail or a pass yet, as I’ve said, it’s too early to tell.

What my benchmark will be is *more* success for our FG team. We’ve always had good juniors, so it’s about preparing them for FG.

The question is what is success. Making the top 8, top 4 or actual winning the big one. We all crave a third premiership but it isn’t that easy.

 

[OldPanther]

The question is what is success. Making the top 8, top 4 or actual winning the big one. We all crave a third premiership but it isn’t that easy.

For me if we make the top 4 or go to week 3 of finals that's a pass for me.

 

[herbert henry1908]

The question is what is success. Making the top 8, top 4 or actual winning the big one. We all crave a third premiership but it isn’t that easy.

Top 4 on a semi regular basis. If you’re not in the top 4, you’re not really competing for the title.


Also I should note, when I say the academy, I’m talking about the training & coaching put in place for talented juniors. The building itself is fantastic, but it’s not just for the talented juniors.

 

[Kilkenny]

For me if we make the top 4 or go to week 3 of finals that's a pass for me.

I agree. Ideally that is what we would all like to see. Not easy mind you. Every club has the same aspirations.

I think just making the top 8 get’s us a pass mark. Anything over and above that is a decent season.

 

[Flashstep]

After the disaster of last year I’d say making the top 8 would be a successful season, if we were to win 1 or 2 finals that would be a nice bonus.