2020 season

[OldPanther]

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That would be a nice jersey to see every second week and at least sell the brown shoulders so I can buy it haha.

 

[OldPanther]

The perfect comment on our halves:

 

[MugaB]

The perfect comment on our halves:

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Nah Luai for me, everyones gone goo goo eyes for the rookie burton, including geyer, who is always going goo goo, need to give Matty a year in reserves, or coming off the bench, he'll only get better with age, and he is too young to be thrown into 1st grade this year, maybe next year.
Besides Luai was meant to be the halfback we had our NYC working up the years to promote to 1st grade.
Unfortunately Nathans Body was more mature and so started/promoted way earlier than jerome.

 

[martielang]

Dropping Luai for Burton from Rnd 1 would be typical of us as a club imo. It’s always out with the old & in with the brand new shiny junior / younger player ASAP. The kids played 1 first grade game, granted he had a cracker.

Make Burton earn his shot. If he’s banging the door down after the first few rounds & Luai is struggling then it’s the logical thing to do but Luai deserves a fair crack at that spot. Luai ain’t no plodder, he’s an exceptional talent himself.

 

[franklin2323]

Dropping Luai for Burton from Rnd 1 would be typical of us as a club imo. It’s always out with the old & in with the brand new shiny junior / younger player ASAP. The kids played 1 first grade game, granted he had a cracker.

Make Burton earn his shot. If he’s banging the door down after the first few rounds & Luai is struggling then it’s the logical thing to do but Luai deserves a fair crack at that spot. Luai ain’t no plodder, he’s an exceptional talent himself.

Both halves have played 1 game as 5/8th with Nathan. Not like we are talking about a veteran

 

[Crashtest]

Nah Luai for me, everyones gone goo goo eyes for the rookie burton, including geyer, who is always going goo goo, need to give Matty a year in reserves, or coming off the bench, he'll only get better with age, and he is too young to be thrown into 1st grade this year, maybe next year.

Make Burton earn his shot. If he’s banging the door down after the first few rounds & Luai is struggling then it’s the logical thing to do but Luai deserves a fair crack at that spot. Luai ain’t no plodder, he’s an exceptional talent himself.

I'm a fan of Burton and think he has a great future. But I agree with both of you, that it should be Luai for round 1 with first chance to own the number 6 jumper.

I think we need his speed and footwork and eyes up play to counteract Nathan being the controlling and organising half this season. As I'm hoping under Barretts' coaching during the offseason, he has Luai running straighter and to the line more and less of his crabbing across field.

But its a great position to be in for the Panthers, to have Burton ready to step in at 6 if Luai doesn't perform.

 

[John Hamblin]

Both halves have played 1 game as 5/8th with Nathan. Not like we are talking about a veteran

Luai should watch some footage of Preston Campbell and take the line on more often. He needs to be much more direct .

 

[kinghippo]

I'm a fan of Burton and think he has a great future. But I agree with both of you, that it should be Luai for round 1 with first chance to own the number 6 jumper.

I think we need his speed and footwork and eyes up play to counteract Nathan being the controlling and organising half this season. As I'm hoping under Barretts' coaching during the offseason, he has Luai running straighter and to the line more and less of his crabbing across field.

But its a great position to be in for the Panthers, to have Burton ready to step in at 6 if Luai doesn't perform.

I have really liked what we have seen from May at 6 as well if luai isn’t working out.
Lots of options.
My preference would be to see Burton play at least half a game at fullback in reserve grade to add to his skill set.
Edwards should also not walk straight back into the team, a week or two in the lower grade won’t do him any harm and would help him find his feet.

 

[Dave's mate]

Burton is the best 6 at the club with most upside. I see no reason not to play him

 

[franklin2323]

May is the only 5/8th to win a finals game that we have. Using that logic he should be the 6

 

[herbert henry1908]

The perfect comment on our halves:

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Except it’s totally wrong about Luai being a utility.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I can see an argument for both Luai & Burton

With Luai you have a contrasting style to Cleary’s structured approach. Potentially a deft passing game.

With Burton you have a better kicking game that will take pressure off Cleary. More potential to play within a structure if we’re able to come up with a good one.


I understand some people think Luai is too erratic, but if we can’t come up with good attacking plays maybe we’ll need that?

it’s a tough one, but as always I’m very wary of the recency bias factor. Seen so many Penrith youngsters look like they were going to be the next big thing, only to flame out quickly.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Not too concerned whichever way we end up going at 5/8, I think they’re both decent options to start the season with.

Our big problem is the outside backs, only one player fills me with confidence. That’s To’o. Lots of question marks over the rest.

Forward pack looks good, plenty of depth. Don’t think we’ll have problems matching up to many teams.

 

[Dave's mate]

Except it’s totally wrong about Luai being a utility.

Yep he's a half or nothing imo

 

[OldPanther]

Except it’s totally wrong about Luai being a utility.

I don't think Luai is as bad at 9 as people say and can certainly fill in at centre in a pinch. Not that it was the part I like. I more think everyone who says Luai suits Cleary more is wrong.

 

[OldPanther]

I can see an argument for both Luai & Burton

With Luai you have a contrasting style to Cleary’s structured approach. Potentially a deft passing game.

With Burton you have a better kicking game that will take pressure off Cleary. More potential to play within a structure if we’re able to come up with a good one.


I understand some people think Luai is too erratic, but if we can’t come up with good attacking plays maybe we’ll need that?

it’s a tough one, but as always I’m very wary of the recency bias factor. Seen so many Penrith youngsters look like they were going to be the next big thing, only to flame out quickly.

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

 

[herbert henry1908]

I don't think Luai is as bad at 9 as people say and can certainly fill in at centre in a pinch. Not that it was the part I like. I more think everyone who says Luai suits Cleary more is wrong.

His defence isn’t good enough to play in the middle of the field, unless it’s an emergency.

Also think his play the balls are on the slower side.



I just don’t think there’s enough to go on yet as to who is the best fit for Cleary.

 

[kinghippo]

Yep he's a half or nothing imo

I have been thinking about this and you are right, if he can’t hold down the 5/8 spot he shouldn’t be in the first grade team. Not with May or Kenny offering a bit more as utility.

That doesn’t mean he couldn’t reinvent himself in reserve grade as a centre or even a fullback but he would have to outplay the other kids coming through to do it.
I think a few players could transition to different positions if required, Edwards could possibly be a good centre or winger for example

 

[Dave's mate]

I have been thinking about this and you are right, if he can’t hold down the 5/8 spot he shouldn’t be in the first grade team. Not with May or Kenny offering a bit more as utility.

That doesn’t mean he couldn’t reinvent himself in reserve grade as a centre or even a fullback but he would have to outplay the other kids coming through to do it.
I think a few players could transition to different positions if required, Edwards could possibly be a good centre or winger for example

Agree with all of this but once Burton takes the 6 I think its in his best interest to leave.

Anyways it's great having a few options and im way more positive about our chances this year.

 

[herbert henry1908]

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