2020 season

[mxlegend99]

Jarome Luai having another terrific game. Really good at making the most of the space.

Leota having a terrific series. Outplaying Taumololo right now. Blore and To'o both good aswell. These Samoan games have been awesome for Panthers players.

 

[Dave's mate]

And people want to sign BJ.......the man is a moron and total liability

 

[unKwn]

really hope samoa wins the comp, it’s pretty much the panthers lol

 

[Zampaa]

I can't believe how good leota was in the 9s.

 

[mxlegend99]

I can't believe how good leota was in the 9s.

Hopefully he can bring that form into the 13 man game. I think anytimehe has started to look like he was cfinding form he has gotten an injury and when he returned his form was reset.

Give him a full pre-season and no injuries through the year. Hopefully he has a breakout year in 2020.

 

[Exsilium]

Jarome Luai having another terrific game. Really good at making the most of the space.

My issue with Luai is that his constant probing into the line, changing direction and searching for a gap doesn’t work against good opposition.

The key to his success in first grade will be to pick his moments and use his speed and footwork at the right time, not every time he touches the ball.

 

[kinghippo]

I really enjoyed the nines. It’s a lot of fun.
Getting away with no injuries is a nice change as well.
It’s a good time of year for it.
A lot to like from the Panthers on show.

 

[betcats]

My issue with Luai is that his constant probing into the line, changing direction and searching for a gap doesn’t work against good opposition.

The key to his success in first grade will be to pick his moments and use his speed and footwork at the right time, not every time he touches the ball.

If he can find the right balance between that probing style and playing direct it can be an asset imo especially to a side lacking creativity. Munster probes and skips and changes direction in a similar manner but he picks his moments which is key as you have said.

 

[betcats]

Glad to hear the guys did well, I still can’t read to much into the nines, we saw lots of guys have huge preseason tournaments in this format that didn’t carryover into the regular season. Still it sounds like a few of our guys stood up which is always pleasing.

 

[Dave's mate]

To'o looked good again. A full first grade preseason and he'll be even better again. The way he cuts back in I'd love to see him given a shot at centre if we don't sign one

 

[franklin2323]

To'o looked good again. A full first grade preseason and he'll be even better again. The way he cuts back in I'd love to see him given a shot at centre if we don't sign one

He has played a bit of centre looked decent enough. Would ensure he gets plenty of ball

 

[franklin2323]

Glad to hear the guys did well, I still can’t read to much into the nines, we saw lots of guys have huge preseason tournaments in this format that didn’t carryover into the regular season. Still it sounds like a few of our guys stood up which is always pleasing.

9's are good to see how players go when fatigued. Tonga and Fiji were both stacked so is good our guys played well against decent quality but to do it for 80mins for 24 weeks of the comp is different

 

[martielang]

My issue with Luai is that his constant probing into the line, changing direction and searching for a gap doesn’t work against good opposition.

The key to his success in first grade will be to pick his moments and use his speed and footwork at the right time, not every time he touches the ball.

I respectfully disagree with that. I think people get too caught up in being a ‘quality’ structured football team, with set plays, block plays etc etc I think with Luai it’s more a matter of throwing enough darts & one will stick, give him the ball as much as possible, force him to Run it. He’ll create something 1/4 times he runs the ball, he’ll likely also turn over the ball or run backwards 1/4 times. But the pro outweighs the con to me.

It may look like an absolute shit fight but I’m yet to see a team look comfortable with Luai on the ball & bobbing around.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I respectfully disagree with that. I think people get too caught up in being a ‘quality’ structured football team, with set plays, block plays etc etc I think with Luai it’s more a matter of throwing enough darts & one will stick, give him the ball as much as possible, force him to Run it. He’ll create something 1/4 times he runs the ball, he’ll likely also turn over the ball or run backwards 1/4 times. But the pro outweighs the con to me.

It may look like an absolute shit fight but I’m yet to see a team look comfortable with Luai on the ball & bobbing around.

Luai will lead the team in try & line break assists next year.

im backing him in to do around 20 of each, by the end of next season the whole comp will be talking about him.

 

[franklin2323]

Luai will lead the team in try & line break assists next year.

im backing him in to do around 20 of each, by the end of next season the whole comp will be talking about him.

Whether he does from 6 or not is the question to me. Not sure about his kicking game yet but will be in the 17 every week regardless

 

[herbert henry1908]

Whether he does from 6 or not is the question to me. Not sure about his kicking game yet but will be in the 17 every week regardless

Well he won’t be able to lead the team on those stats from the bench. I’m expecting he’ll be the 5/8.

I just think Ivan Cleary will go with the safer option after our start to last season. Another start like that and the media will be sharpening their knives.

 

[franklin2323]

Well he won’t be able to lead the team on those stats from the bench. I’m expecting he’ll be the 5/8.

I just think Ivan Cleary will go with the safer option after our start to last season. Another start like that and the media will be sharpening their knives.

I have no doubt he will start 6 but if Edwards gets injured before Staines or Laurie are ready or Naden or Crichton don't come on then I see him getting moved too.

Just due to the fact Burton is too good to be in NSW Cup unless he does the moving around but we don't have the luxury of not playing both of them

 

[martielang]

Whether he does from 6 or not is the question to me. Not sure about his kicking game yet but will be in the 17 every week regardless

If Api can kick (sort of) with Cleary I don't think it's essential the 6 has to kick. Luai can dribble a few into the in goal & that can be his kicking duties.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I have no doubt he will start 6 but if Edwards gets injured before Staines or Laurie are ready or Naden or Crichton don't come on then I see him getting moved too.

Just due to the fact Burton is too good to be in NSW Cup unless he does the moving around but we don't have the luxury of not playing both of them

I tend to agree. In an ideal world Burton at 6, Lui at 14 (super sub)

 

[franklin2323]

If Api can kick (sort of) with Cleary I don't think it's essential the 6 has to kick. Luai can dribble a few into the in goal & that can be his kicking duties.

Maloney had more kick metres than Cleary. Of course Cleary will do more but someone needs to pick up the slack