2022 Round 20 Panthers V Eels

[Pomoz]

Oh well shit happens, a couple of points:

• One of the things that was lost in the inept commentary by Fox was that Jennings left the field after 28 minutes and never came back. During that 12 minutes to half time, we conceded two more tries as the team tried to adjust to losing their halfback and their right centre. May moved in off the wing, Staines went to left wing and Tago to right centre. If Jennings hadn't also left the field we may have kept the score closer. As it was, we needed the half time break to reorganise ourselves;
• In view of the loss of Jennings and Cleary and the ensuing shuffle of positions, the second half performance was quite extraordinary. Consider this: The Eels run for 1980 metres vs Panthers 1720 and that is after having 55% possession and 7 more tackle sets (42 more play the balls). They made less metres per set and had a slower play the ball speed. I noticed that Arthur was not gloating about the win at all, and praised the Panthers for their second half. He was happy for the two points but he looked a bit pissed off;
• Any doubts that May and Tago are a bit special were dispelled during this game. Tago moved to right centre and run for 232m and made 26 tackles at 86%. May moved to centre and run for 99m and 19 tackles at 90%. Boys, take a bow. I have no doubt May could be a quality centre with a bit of work on his passing game;
• Can we stop with this "Salmon is crap" bollocks once and for all. Thrown on into chaos, he handled the ball 32 times, made 25 tackles at 89%, 4 kicks and run for 75m. A fantastic effort considering the circumstances. But I see his effort every time he plays and I just don't get the negativity expressed by some people. Sure, he isn't a future immortal but every time he plays he gives a whole hearted effort, sticks his tackles and doesn't mind taking a hit up into the forwards, on yer JS;
• The tackle was clearly dangerous and deserved a send off, but Brown landed on his back not his head and he wasn't driven into the ground as described by some frothing at the mouth, hyped up journo. Hopefully, this is recognised by calmer heads at the judiciary and he only gets three weeks not four or five.;
• O'Sullivan is a classy player. The Dolphin's have got a good signing there. He took control of the team and in the second half really helped us keep control of the game. A try, 28 tackles and 11 kicks, well done Sean.

The next few weeks gives a few players a chance to prove what they are capable of and with luck, may set us up for the finals with a fresh Luai and Cleary. Ideally, it would be good if they can come back a few weeks before the finals so they can get a bit of mach fitness.

 

[The Realist]

Alright. Time to call in the big guns.

Luke Brooks to Penrith.

HAHA. I was going to say this last night. Player swap for Staines? They lost Nofa and need a winger, perhaps Staines might have been heading there anyway? They don't want Brooks anyway from what I am hearing. He'd be very very handy for 5 weeks, just for his kicking game alone but his quickness would also be handy in our team.

 

[Smug Panther]

Staines would be a better 7

 

[Fangs]

HAHA. I was going to say this last night. Player swap for Staines? They lost Nofa and need a winger, perhaps Staines might have been heading there anyway? They don't want Brooks anyway from what I am hearing. He'd be very very handy for 5 weeks, just for his kicking game alone but his quickness would also be handy in our team.

He'd honestly be a perfect fit. Played his best football under Ivan.

Would be so handy over the next 5 weeks. But apparently has a calf injury which has ended his season.

 

[The Realist]

• he tackle was clearly dangerous and deserved a send off, but Brown landed on his back not his head and he wasn't driven into the ground as described by some frothing at the mouth, hyped up journo. Hopefully, this is recognised by calmer heads at the judiciary and he only gets three weeks not four or five.

Mate we are coping the entire 5 weeks. If we contest and lose it will be 6 weeks. I think the system sucks for the reason he was sent off and pretty much ensured we lost the game. They should knock a week off for a send off since it is essentially a week served and a near automatic loss.

I hope I am wrong and we contest the grading and get it knocked down to 4 but I would not count on it. Boy I really want him back for the Cowboys game because a bunch of them are becoming unbearable. But if contesting does have the risk of making it 6 weeks - we definitely should not try it.

O'Sullivan is a classy player. The Dolphin's have got a good signing there. He took control of the team and in the second half really helped us keep control of the game. A try, 28 tackles and 11 kicks, well done Sean.

I saw his game a little differently. He started well but after Cleary went off made 2 near unforgivable defensive errors that led to tries.

1. He got directly in the way of Tago and Kikau contesting a kick. Take a look at the replay and tell me I am wrong.

2. Dived over the ball failing to clean up. Comical error.

His kicking game was also sub par. It was very very ordinary. That alone demonstrates why he has been a reserve grader for so long. Fortunately for him next year - He'll have Milford doing most of the kicking for him. Milford is definitely an above average kicker.

The last thing I noticed was that in the last 15 minutes he was struggling to get back into the line. I expect that from the forwards in those circumstances but for a back it is almost inexcusable.

The taking control of the team is debatable. Halftime was the break the entire team needed to sort out the chaos of multiple positional changes as well as losing the on-field leader and chief play-maker. He definitely didn't disgrace himself in the 2nd half though, he was okay.

 

[The Realist]

Staines would be a better 7

Haha. I get the Brooks hate and the memes. I don't rate him that much - but you're having a lend if you don't think he is better than our reserve graders. I think he'd play well behind our pack and in our systems. If he is injured as Fangs says though, its all academic.

I'd almost say it's too bad that the Knights snapped up Milford. He'd have been super handy for chips and meat pies in our current situation.

I'd also say that it is kinda too bad that the Dogs let go of Barrett. If they had continued in their woeful form, we could have asked for a Burton loan - to get him more winning and finals experience

 

[Black Diamond]

Whose laughing now Parra?...Moses gone for 4 weeks

 

[Smug Panther]

Whose laughing now Parra?...Moses gone for 4 weeks

Lol what from?

 

[Black Diamond]

Lol what from?

Requires surgery for a broken finger

 

[Smug Panther]

Requires surgery for a broken finger

A finger! Strap it up you cat

 

[Pomoz]

Mate we are coping the entire 5 weeks. If we contest and lose it will be 6 weeks. I think the system sucks for the reason he was sent off and pretty much ensured we lost the game. They should knock a week off for a send off since it is essentially a week served and a near automatic loss.

I hope I am wrong and we contest the grading and get it knocked down to 4 but I would not count on it. Boy I really want him back for the Cowboys game because a bunch of them are becoming unbearable. But if contesting does have the risk of making it 6 weeks - we definitely should not try it.



I saw his game a little differently. He started well but after Cleary went off made 2 near unforgivable defensive errors that led to tries.

1. He got directly in the way of Tago and Kikau contesting a kick. Take a look at the replay and tell me I am wrong.

2. Dived over the ball failing to clean up. Comical error.

His kicking game was also sub par. It was very very ordinary. That alone demonstrates why he has been a reserve grader for so long. Fortunately for him next year - He'll have Milford doing most of the kicking for him. Milford is definitely an above average kicker.

The last thing I noticed was that in the last 15 minutes he was struggling to get back into the line. I expect that from the forwards in those circumstances but for a back it is almost inexcusable.

The taking control of the team is debatable. Halftime was the break the entire team needed to sort out the chaos of multiple positional changes as well as losing the on-field leader and chief play-maker. He definitely didn't disgrace himself in the 2nd half though, he was okay.

I wasn't suggesting we protest. I was saying that take the emotion out of the assessment and rule on what actually happened, not the hyperbole of statements like "driven into the ground", landed on his head". He landed on his shoulders. He didn't even need an HIA. Pleading innocent would be suicide, pleading against the severity makes more sense and doesn't impact your ban if you lose.

We shall have to agree to disagree on O'Sullivan. When Cleary was on, he was able support including scoring a try. The 12 minute period after Jennings went off was chaotic and when the damage was done. That wasn't his fault, even if he failed to clear that kick. In the second half he steered the team around the park well. You say his kicking was sub-par. What I saw was a forced drop out and the Eels repeatedly having to ruck the ball out of their own 20m zone after another Panthers kick chase pinned them down.

 

[age.s]

O'Sullivan is hard to put a finger on. Parts of his game look really good. He's fluid when running the ball and we seem to have really good shape when he's on. On the flip side he makes some weird decisions and has a meme worthy f**k up or two in him.

To me he seems like someone who'd go better playing second fiddle to an organising half, but maybe a full season in first grade could see him shore up some of his downside. Not sure the Dolphins is going to be the right environment for that though.

 

[chrisD]

Was a good job by Ivan, it was a good second half. Poor from Nathan but he’ll get his chance to make it up. It’s potentially season derailing but we have the best systems of any team to weather it.

 

[Smug Panther]

Was a good job by Ivan, it was a good second half. Poor from Nathan but he’ll get his chance to make it up. It’s potentially season derailing but we have the best systems of any team to weather it.

Watched the second half again. This team is built different, insane effort

 

[WestyLife]

Watched the second half again. This team is built different, insane effort

Same just finished it before this afternoons game. They just played to the systems and it was too good for the Eels. I don't think losing Nathan will bother the season.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

SOS & Salmon were fine in the 2nd half last night. No reason to panic. Challenge the grading using the Jarrod Wallace tackle as a precedent. We will be fine.

Agree with this. The guys looked fine last night in the second half once they got together and reset and we now have a full week to prepare.

Accept the guilt but challenge the grading.

 

[Michael Matral]

So why do you guys think Penrith cant beat Parra?

The real question is, does Parra beating us in the season games when we are 8 points clear mean anything now that Mitch Moses is gone for the regular season?..enjoy Jacob Arthur or Bryce Cartright in the halves!! You defo wont be anywhere near Top 4 now...lol

 

[ColdWetPanther]

The real question is, does Parra beating us in the season games when we are 8 points clear mean anything now that Mitch Moses is gone for the regular season?..enjoy Jacob Arthur or Bryce Cartright in the halves!! You defo wont be anywhere near Top 4 now...lol

The carry on by a very small number of Parra fans is getting a bit like the carry on by a few Tigers fans; their grand finals are the regular season games with the Panthers. They obviously see us as the benchmark.

 

[GongPanther]

Life long supporter here. I started supporting them in '66 when I was in kindy in Cambridge Park. Everyone else was supporting saints and rabbitohs. Proud to supports the mighty Panthers! Win, draw or lose. After all those years, I'm battle hardened. We put out an SOS to SOS and he will answer. I think try Staines at centre or To'o to centre with Staines outside of him Although Critter will likely be back. Onwards and upwards. Go the Panthers!

1966 was Penrith's final year in the 2nd division before their 1st grade debut the following season, and they played in Blue.

 

[GongPanther]

Alright. Time to call in the big guns.

Luke Brooks to Penrith.

Hypothetically, it would piss off the Storm if Ivan asked Gus if we could borrow Burton for the rest of the season, a-la what we did with Tevita Pangai Junior at season's end last year.