2021 R25 Fri - Parramatta 6-40 Penrith @ Cbus Super

[wittyfan]

No Moses = Smugfers win

 

[lucablight]

Arthur showing once again he has NFI about coaching and building a season.

Why on earth wouldn't you go for 4th? Sure, it relies on cowboys beating manly but this game is first and if they win they will be 4th come Saturday morning.

Additionally, they finally found some form last week after 6 weeks of stinking it up, why wouldn't you want to continue that momentum? Most teams can keep peak form for 4-6 weeks so last week was perfect timing really.

This will spectacularly backfire in week 1 of the finals.

This is a great move. The Eels have a lot of players who have played long minutes at high intensity for most of the season. Why risk injury in a game that is essentially meaningless? They already have the blueprint on what they need to do well to give the finals a fair crack. In previous seasons the Eels have been gassed in the second half of elimination games so this is the perfect opportunity to freshen them up to stop it from happening again. They will in all likelihood lose heavily against the Panthers and it won’t matter one iota. If they played their full strength team and lost it could halt their momentum and they’d be tired when they arrived in the finals. They have bigger fish to fry than this meaningless game.

 

[Valheru]

This is a great move. The Eels have a lot of players who have played long minutes at high intensity for most of the season. Why risk injury in a game that is essentially meaningless? They already have the blueprint on what they need to do well to give the finals a fair crack. In previous seasons the Eels have been gassed in the second half of elimination games so this is the perfect opportunity to freshen them up to stop it from happening again. They will in all likelihood lose heavily against the Panthers and it won’t matter one iota. If they played their full strength team and lost it could halt their momentum and they’d be tired when they arrived in the finals. They have bigger fish to fry than this meaningless game.

How is it a meaningless game?

They could make top 4 which history has proven is absolutely essential to winning the comp. They do need Manly to lose to Cowboys but as I said this game is first and stranger things have happened. How silly will they look if roosters win and manly lose.

They are no chance of top 4 now though and an even money chance of finishing 6th which would see them play the knights who will be a tough out. Resting payers en masse is fine if you have sealed top 4 and/or can't move up or down the ladder in any meaningful way but that is not the case here.

 

[lucablight]

How is it a meaningless game?

They could make top 4 which history has proven is absolutely essential to winning the comp. They do need Manly to lose to Cowboys but as I said this game is first and stranger things have happened. How silly will they look if roosters win and manly lose.

They are no chance of top 4 now though and an even money chance of finishing 6th which would see them play the knights who will be a tough out. Resting payers en masse is fine if you have sealed top 4 and/or can't move up or down the ladder in any meaningful way but that is not the case here.

It’s more important to prevent injuries and get fresh legs than relying on a nuffy team to beat Manly who are not to roll over and give up their top 4 spot. The Western Bulldogs have won the competition from 7th spot in the AFL and the Cowboys made the grand final from 8th so being in the bottom half of the 8 doesn’t make it mission impossible.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

It’s more important to prevent injuries and get fresh legs than relying on a nuffy team to beat Manly who are not to roll over and give up their top 4 spot. The Western Bulldogs have won the competition from 7th spot in the AFL and the Cowboys made the grand final from 8th so being in the bottom half of the 8 doesn’t make it mission impossible.

Manly nearly got bent over by Bulldogs, Cows definitely can topple them.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Now I wanna play WC3.

 

[Sphagnum]

WoW references are so mainstream

 

[GongPanther]

Panthers will win the minor premiership than lose to manly week 1 and go out in. Straight sets

The Panthers and Parra the only two teams to beat the Storm this season. So going by the logic getting thrown around here, a Pen V Parra GF.

 

[Munky]

No Moses = Smugfers win

Moses = Smugfers win.

We get to miss him do his best Croker impression again.

 

[GongPanther]

Pretty much the best team Penrith can name vs wentworthville under 10s.

Penrith by 60+

Penrith are playing a team full of embryos, although the Panthers after the usual slow start to the 1st half, will amp it up in the 2nd.

 

[parramaniac2516]

Can't Blame Arthur for trying something different. Last year full strength Parra played tigers last round before finals and finished third and against played against Melbourne and Souths.

Maybe Arthur thinking Top 4 teams will have some injuries and fatigue after week 1. Melbourne/Manly could go either way same as Panthers/Souths.

Arthur probably knows he had to get Parra to a prelim to keep his job.

 

[Lemon Squash]

The top 4 theory is a bit of a myth imo…. Yes history tells you need to be there to win it but history also tells you the dominant teams finish top 4 so it’s only logical.

On how many occasions has a team come in red hot into the finals but not finish top 4? Off the top of my head Parra 09 and they managed to make it through to the GF (yes under the old system but it was just as difficult) Cowboys 17 limped in but then caught fire during the finals and also made the GF.

So when you have the best teams at the top then getting home ground advantage W1 it’s pretty much a free walk into the prelims. This year however with likely neutral grounds that won’t be as big an advantage imo.

Not saying what Arthur is doing is right or wrong, that we will have to wait and see (I actually kind of lean to playing a strong side to keep the momentum going) but if this was always the plan then he should stick to it.

 

[age.s]

Now I wanna play WC3.

Come back! The waters fine.

 

[Westernised Panther]

How is it a meaningless game?

They could make top 4 which history has proven is absolutely essential to winning the comp. They do need Manly to lose to Cowboys but as I said this game is first and stranger things have happened. How silly will they look if roosters win and manly lose.

They are no chance of top 4 now though and an even money chance of finishing 6th which would see them play the knights who will be a tough out. Resting payers en masse is fine if you have sealed top 4 and/or can't move up or down the ladder in any meaningful way but that is not the case here.

I’m with @Valheru

Why on earth would you not try and go for a Top 4 finish, with a chance of two bites of the cherry?

 

[Westernised Panther]

Panthers will win the minor premiership than lose to manly week 1 and go out in. Straight sets

We’ll have two chances having finished in the Top 4 dumbarse

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I think Bald Arthur is playing the long game, give up a top 4 spot this year in the hope he has a few more sons before 2041 and then Bam! - premiership.

 

[Bazal]

I think Bald Arthur is playing the long game, give up a top 4 spot this year in the hope he has a few more sons before 2041 and then Bam! - premiership.

His sons will also be bald by then. He's balding a dynasty

 

[GongPanther]

I’m with @Valheru

Why on earth would you not try and go for a Top 4 finish, with a chance of two bites of the cherry?

Because the chances of the Cows beating Manly doesn't look too crash hot, and so Manly cops 4th spot. So that is Arthur's logic, and is a good move IMO.

 

[Jono078]

 

[Valheru]

Because the chances of the Cows beating Manly doesn't look too crash hot, and so Manly cops 4th spot. So that is Arthur's logic, and is a good move IMO.

That's true but you may as well make Manly earn it.

Roosters have at least put pressure on them now.