2024 Panthers

[soc123_au]

I blocked the problem. Sorry for my outburst @soc123_au

All good. A bit of a tidy up was probably overdue anyway.

 

[jane the pain]

Can the next man-up keep Penrith purring?
Losing key players is nothing new to Penrith and so far it hasn’t impacted their ability to be the best side in the NRL. Conventional wisdom says that doubting the Panthers’ ability to keep calm and carry on is foolish, but they’ll have their work cut out for them replacing a couple of the players who left the building following their third-straight grand final victory last month. Stephen Crichton has been a huge part of their success and last season he was exceptional, combining brilliant attacking ability with some excellent defence out wide, both of which were on full display in the grand final when he made several plays that kept his side’s unlikely comeback alive. Ivan Cleary also loses the services of Spencer Leniu who has for some time now been arguably the best specialist interchange middle in the NRL, bringing impact and complimenting the starters perfectly. Talent like Crichton and Leniu doesn't grow on trees and while Penrith will be backing themselves to replace them, it won’t be easy.

Source nrl website

 

[Chins get the wins]

Can the next man-up keep Penrith purring?
Losing key players is nothing new to Penrith and so far it hasn’t impacted their ability to be the best side in the NRL. Conventional wisdom says that doubting the Panthers’ ability to keep calm and carry on is foolish, but they’ll have their work cut out for them replacing a couple of the players who left the building following their third-straight grand final victory last month. Stephen Crichton has been a huge part of their success and last season he was exceptional, combining brilliant attacking ability with some excellent defence out wide, both of which were on full display in the grand final when he made several plays that kept his side’s unlikely comeback alive. Ivan Cleary also loses the services of Spencer Leniu who has for some time now been arguably the best specialist interchange middle in the NRL, bringing impact and complimenting the starters perfectly. Talent like Crichton and Leniu doesn't grow on trees and while Penrith will be backing themselves to replace them, it won’t be easy.

Source nrl website

I want Sorensen to take Leniu's role. Not a like for like but he can have impact. His upside is if Fish or Letoa get hurt he can play big minutes.
May will do great things at centre, our back 5 will make insane meters

 

[jane the pain]

I want Sorensen to take Leniu's role. Not a like for like but he can have impact. His upside is if Fish or Letoa get hurt he can play big minutes.
May will do great things at centre, our back 5 will make insane meters

Same here.

 

[soc123_au]

I want Sorensen to take Leniu's role. Not a like for like but he can have impact. His upside is if Fish or Letoa get hurt he can play big minutes.
May will do great things at centre, our back 5 will make insane meters

I'd be starting Sorenson with Leota off the bench. Either could work though, Leota has been a beast starting.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Liam Henry to take Spennys role. He’ll kill it.

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

I'd be starting Sorenson with Leota off the bench. Either could work though, Leota has been a beast starting.

Yep i agree here, we seem to lose momentum when both Fish and Moses are off, we eventually get it back, but think having both off at the same time with Spence gone, isnt our best idea.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Yep i agree here, we seem to lose momentum when both Fish and Moses are off, we eventually get it back, but think having both off at the same time with Spence gone, isnt our best idea.

I'd like the starting props adjusted for who we are playing

 

[jane the pain]

Liam Henry to take Spennys role. He’ll kill it.

Agreed.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I'd like the starting props adjusted for who we are playing

That sounds like something that Ivan (and coaching staffs) woule be willing to do.

 

[maple_69]

Smith & Fish starting with Leota & Sorenson off the bench would be killer. Hosking & Martin can take the edges with Garner the bench edge/backs cover. Henry can earn his spot and I don't doubt he will. With one of Hosking or Garner on the way out after 2024, there will be a spot for him knowing Sorenson can move back to an edge.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Smith & Fish starting with Leota & Sorenson off the bench would be killer. Hosking & Martin can take the edges with Garner the bench edge/backs cover. Henry can earn his spot and I don't doubt he will. With one of Hosking or Garner on the way out after 2024, there will be a spot for him knowing Sorenson can move back to an edge.

Soro might be too old to play out wide by then and I know some don't agree but Martin will end up in the middle eventually. Yeo is also a good chance to move to prop to end his career as our best ever forward.

 

[Kilkenny]

This will be Liam Henry’s breakout season. Mark my words. I’ve watched a lot of Liam and he is going to be something really special.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

This will be Liam Henry’s breakout season. Mark my words. I’ve watched a lot of Liam and he is going to be something really special.

Thanks for that info. That sounds very encouraging.

 

[Kilkenny]

Thanks for that info. That sounds very encouraging.

I suggested three or more seasons ago I could see Lindsay Smith being an NRL player. This season was his break out season and his best is yet to come.

I see the same desire, attributes in Liam Henry, he is quality when you have the motor he does it is a no brainer. His work rate in both attack and defence is outstanding he will be outstanding for us in 2024 with the opening created by the loss of Lenui.

 

[Chins get the wins]

I suggested three or more seasons ago I could see Lindsay Smith being an NRL player. This season was his break out season and his best is yet to come.

I see the same desire, attributes in Liam Henry, he is quality when you have the motor he does it is a no brainer. His work rate in both attack and defence is outstanding he will be outstanding for us in 2024 with the opening created by the loss of Lenui.

Is he of any use off the bench or does he need to start? I've read lots of differing opinions on this.

 

[Kilkenny]

Is he of any use off the bench or does he need to start? I've read lots of differing opinions on this.

That’s a call for Ivan and his coaching staff.

All I know is he is a kid who can play big minutes, your talking about a kid who can take 18-25 hit ups running for 200 metres or more and never be out of position in defence. Typical western NSW country boy, from Blayney, just all heart and effort.

 

[Iamback]

This will be Liam Henry’s breakout season. Mark my words. I’ve watched a lot of Liam and he is going to be something really special.

For that to happen, We'd need a middle to go down. His style isn't going to make enough of an impact in 25 mins or so that Spencer's replacement is going to get

2025 is more his year imo

 

[Kilkenny]

Maybe it is just me, but I understood the reasons why the likes of Matt Burton, Kurt Capewell, and so many other players moved on. There are too many to list.

I supported there decisions, and wished them well.

Im not so enthusiastic about supporting the likes of Stephen Crichton and Spencer Lenui moving on. They were given opportunities to stay but chose otherwise. Good luck to them I guess, but I have to be honest and say I am disappointed by their lack of loyalty given it is suggested they were offered competitive deals to stay with the Panthers. There are videos on the Panthers website around there farewell I’m not inclined to watch them to be honest.

 

[Kilkenny]

For that to happen, We'd need a middle to go down. His style isn't going to make enough of an impact in 25 mins or so that Spencer's replacement is going to get

2025 is more his year imo

He’s not a Spencer replacement. We need to move on from the myth that was Spencer. For all the potential he never quite delivered. Maybe playing for the benchmark of the competition will be his making I don’t know but for the most part he was either under used with us or just not worthy of more minutes.