2020 season

[chrisD]

Try Burton fullback, hopefully it works out, he's a better player than the rest, maybe a star, the rest are doubtful first graders.

 

[franklin2323]

In that case it'd be Aekins. Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong but he's our only other genuine fullback in the top 30.

Naden has played more fullback than centre in his career.
Aekins and Braiden Burns were the NYC centres in 2016. So could be said both are in the wrong position

 

[OldPanther]

Naden has played more fullback than centre in his career.
Aekins and Braiden Burns were the NYC centres in 2016. So could be said both are in the wrong position

Yeah but everyone's issue with Edwards is that he doesn't have much of a passing game and Naden is worse.

 

[franklin2323]

Yeah but everyone's issue with Edwards is that he doesn't have much of a passing game and Naden is worse.

And he is slow. Speed or ball playing is an improvement

 

[OldPanther]

And he is slow. Speed or ball playing is an improvement

So much to consider I don't envy head coaches lol.

 

[Panfa]

It's aekins or naden from me both are more than capable of covering till Edwards comes back.Depends which way the coaching staff want to go if aekins starts naden remains at centre if naden starts chrichton or capewell start at centre.I like naden at the back brings in another big centre with either chrichton or capewell coming in these days most of the strong teams have big outside backs.

 

[franklin2323]

So much to consider I don't envy head coaches lol.

We all bag them but they have some tough calls to make

 

[Whino]

In that case it'd be Aekins. Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong but he's our only other genuine fullback in the top 30.

Yes only Edwards & Aekins in top 30 as designated fullbacks.

Panther Mick has been keeping score on the roster.
https://forums.leagueunlimited.com/threads/2020-top-30.477502/page-13#post-13966671

We had Edwards & Aekins with DWZ as cover last year.

Most clubs usually only have 2- 3 players that are straight out fullbacks in their top 30.
The smart clubs have 2 fullbacks and 1 or 2 players (usually a winger) that can cover fullback in their top 30.

The Storm have Papenhuyzen & Hughes who can play fullback. If they get stuck Munster & Hynes are other top 30 options. Maybe Addo Carr could do the job too. All good options and more importantly they play other positions.

The Roosters only have Tedesco but they have 2 good cover options. Brett Morris and last year Manu. They probably have a young rookie floating around too.

Souths have a few options in Latrell, Johnson, Gagai & Allan.

Whether Edwards, Aekins or Laurie is our fullback next year I would like us to pick up an experienced winger who can cover fullback. Let him take MWZ's spot. It would give us more squad balance.
Not before recruiting an experienced centre. That should be top of our list.

 

[franklin2323]

Yes only Edwards & Aekins in top 30 as designated fullbacks.

Panther Mick has been keeping score on the roster.
https://forums.leagueunlimited.com/threads/2020-top-30.477502/page-13#post-13966671

We had Edwards & Aekins with DWZ as cover last year.

Most clubs usually only have 2- 3 players that are straight out fullbacks in their top 30.
The smart clubs have 2 fullbacks and 1 or 2 players (usually a winger) that can cover fullback in their top 30.

The Storm have Papenhuyzen & Hughes who can play fullback. If they get stuck Munster & Hynes are other top 30 options. Maybe Addo Carr could do the job too. All good options and more importantly they play other positions.

The Roosters only have Tedesco but they have 2 good cover options. Brett Morris and last year Manu. They probably have a young rookie floating around too.

Souths have a few options in Latrell, Johnson, Gagai & Allan.

Whether Edwards, Aekins or Laurie is our fullback next year I would like us to pick up an experienced winger who can cover fullback. Let him take MWZ's spot. It would give us more squad balance.
Not before recruiting an experienced centre. That should be top of our list.

We have 4 in our 36 man squad. How many other sides have that?

I think spine is before centre I guess we see how we sit after this year

 

[Bob]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...1/news-story/41f8b23022b16cd46e539133d489aff8

Three rookies in line to replace injured Dylan Edwards as Penrith fullback for NRL round 1
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
February 20, 2020 5:47pm
Subscriber only
It will be a three-way battle of the kids to grab the vacant Penrith fullback position.

The Daily Telegraph has been told three rising stars are vying to replace injured Dylan Edwards for the Panthers’ round one match against Sydney Roosters on March 14.

Edwards sustained syndesmosis in his right ankle after a training mishap on Tuesday. He won’t train for eight weeks and will miss the opening five to six rounds. He underwent surgery on Thursday.

Caleb Aekins in action during the NRL Nines. Photo: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright
Caleb Aekins, Charlie Staines and Daine Laurie are the candidates to replace Edwards.

Aekins, the early favourite, has played just four NRL games and debuted against Cronulla in 2018. Staines and Laurie have yet to crack first grade.

All three candidates are aged 22 or under.

Charlie Staines has been tipped for a big future. Photo: Penrith Panthers
Staines was named Penrith’s Jersey Flegg player of the year last season and is under contract until the end of 2021.

Laurie, 21, who signed a two-year deal with the club last year, played some Canterbury Cup last season.

Aekins and Laurie, who is currently on an NRL development contract, are in Ivan Cleary’s squad to face Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Daine Laurie has been training with the first grade squad for a while.
At the time of Laurie’s signing, Penrith recruitment manager Jim Jones said: “Daine is blessed with natural ability, reads the game well and has a knack of finding the try line.

“We’re confident the opportunity to train with the full-time squad and play higher level rugby league will help him reach his full potential.”

Edwards was dropped for the start of last year but fought back to regain his spot later in the season.

 

[OldPanther]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...1/news-story/41f8b23022b16cd46e539133d489aff8

Three rookies in line to replace injured Dylan Edwards as Penrith fullback for NRL round 1
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
February 20, 2020 5:47pm
Subscriber only
It will be a three-way battle of the kids to grab the vacant Penrith fullback position.

The Daily Telegraph has been told three rising stars are vying to replace injured Dylan Edwards for the Panthers’ round one match against Sydney Roosters on March 14.

Edwards sustained syndesmosis in his right ankle after a training mishap on Tuesday. He won’t train for eight weeks and will miss the opening five to six rounds. He underwent surgery on Thursday.

Caleb Aekins in action during the NRL Nines. Photo: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright
Caleb Aekins, Charlie Staines and Daine Laurie are the candidates to replace Edwards.

Aekins, the early favourite, has played just four NRL games and debuted against Cronulla in 2018. Staines and Laurie have yet to crack first grade.

All three candidates are aged 22 or under.

Charlie Staines has been tipped for a big future. Photo: Penrith Panthers
Staines was named Penrith’s Jersey Flegg player of the year last season and is under contract until the end of 2021.

Laurie, 21, who signed a two-year deal with the club last year, played some Canterbury Cup last season.

Aekins and Laurie, who is currently on an NRL development contract, are in Ivan Cleary’s squad to face Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Daine Laurie has been training with the first grade squad for a while.
At the time of Laurie’s signing, Penrith recruitment manager Jim Jones said: “Daine is blessed with natural ability, reads the game well and has a knack of finding the try line.

“We’re confident the opportunity to train with the full-time squad and play higher level rugby league will help him reach his full potential.”

Edwards was dropped for the start of last year but fought back to regain his spot later in the season.

But out of those 3 only Aekins can play without an exemption which we won't get because Aekins is available.

 

[Whino]

We have 4 in our 36 man squad. How many other sides have that?

I think spine is before centre I guess we see how we sit after this year

A quick look at the other sides top 36. Some development players still to be named. Most sides have around 3-4, but they have other experienced players that can cover fullback. That is the difference.

We have 4 guys that can play fullback, but with a grand total of 49 first grade games. Not ideal, but we know what has happened the past few years with the roster.
Hopefully someone takes the jumper soon and kills it.

 

[franklin2323]

But out of those 3 only Aekins can play without an exemption which we won't get because Aekins is available.

Depends Aekins was playing as a centre. So if you wanted you could do it. I can’t see it though will be Aekins

 

[OldPanther]

Depends Aekins was playing as a centre. So if you wanted you could do it. I can’t see it though will be Aekins

I don't think the NRL would allow it. We have at least 3 centres in the top 30 and Aekins has played fullback at NRL level more than once. It's like a 99% chance they force it to be Aekins or someone from the top 30.

 

[The yak]

But out of those 3 only Aekins can play without an exemption which we won't get because Aekins is available.

Just lazy journalism. He should have mentioned the June 30 development rule in his article. If he did there wouldn't be much to the story.
No way Staines is in contention. A lot of the quotes are cut and paste from last year.

 

[The yak]

Depends Aekins was playing as a centre. So if you wanted you could do it. I can’t see it though will be Aekins

The question has to be asked though if Daine Laurie got an exemption is he ready for first grade now? Physically too?

 

[herbert henry1908]

Try Burton fullback, hopefully it works out, he's a better player than the rest, maybe a star, the rest are doubtful first graders.

Can’t do it first game though, stuff like that can break someone’s confidence.

Give him some time at fullback in reserves, see how it goes.

 

[Dave's mate]

The rules are silly. Anyone at your club should be able to play 1st grade at anytime

 

[herbert henry1908]

The rules are silly. Anyone at your club should be able to play 1st grade at anytime

Yep. It punishes clubs that cultivate talent.

 

[Crashtest]

If Tamou's view is any indication, then it will be Aekins who replaces Edwards. He is backing Aekins as the one to step up and fill the void.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/21/aekins-backed-to-fill-void-left-by-edwards-injury/

Panthers players are confident the side can overcome the loss of Dylan Edwards during the early stages of the season following a training mishap.

Edwards has been ruled out for at least two months after suffering a syndesmosis tear in his right ankle in a routine field session on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old underwent surgery on Thursday as most of the NRL squad greeted fans at Penrith's Westfield shopping centre.

"It was just one of those things where he went one way and his ankle went the other," centre Brent Naden told NRL.com.

"It was a freak accident and has come at a bad time being only three weeks from the first round, I'm shattered for him."

Penrith captain James Tamou touted Caleb Aekins as the man to replace Edwards in the No.1 jersey after three games in first grade last season.

Aekins, 22, made history in 2018 when he ran for 303 metres against Cronulla, the most ever by a player on NRL debut.

His 2019 season was cut short by a fractured foot but he's had an injury-free preparation for 2020.

"He brings a bit of a wow factor, has got a bit of a spark to his game and will be the best person to fill the role," Tamou said.

"Dylan is always one to be lurking around the field being one of the fittest but Caleb has got that footwork and ability to break tackles in an uncanny way.

"That will be good for players like Jarome Luai and Matt Burton who are strong and will be looking to find support with an offload. He'll be good for us there."

Speaking of injuries, Tamou is nursing a few niggles of his own and pulled out of the All Stars clash as a result.

He is aiming to return for the club's second trial against Parramatta in Bega on February 29.

"I've got some back issues and my right foot isn't quite right with some nerve damage there," Tamou said.

"It's been a big pre-season and something to monitor. There wasn't a session this week I was able to complete. I rung David Kidwell and he was very respectful. I didn't want to do the Maori jersey any disrespect."

Tamou said he was honoured to have retained the Panthers captaincy.

Off-contract at season's end, Tamou has told NRL.com of his desire to remain at the club and hopes another year of showcasing his leadership skills can land him a new deal.

"It's an absolute pleasure and our goal is to go a long way. Losing Jimmy Maloney we've lost a bit of experience there," Tamou said.

"I will hold that on my shoulders and try to get this young side to where it needs to be."