2024 Panthers

[Iamback]

I expect Eiso to start the year off and transition into Henry

Garner and Smith are the only two lock ins for me.

The 14 could go 3 or 4 different ways, I suspect it will depend on how he plans on using Kenny.

Whoever is 6 in WCC I think starts at 14, I think it depends on injuries and the makeup of the side

 

[Iamback]

I am yet to be convinced Garner is a starting backrower here. He was better the last few games off the bench and filling in at centre. Thats it.

Ideally one of the young guys will jump him but Ivan usually takes the safe option

 

[CCJohnC]

I think Garner will surprise us all this season especially after his GF performance. A confidence thing.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Is disagreeing with you being passive aggressive? If you were able to suggest a good reason for not starting the best front row combination in the world, I’d agree with you, But I haven’t seen you suggest one yet…

It's clearly been explained. Lots believe we need either Soro or Leota to drop back to the bench to start the year. Your counter to that is screeching "you don't bench the best starting middles in the world"
Every person except you I've seen talk about Henry says that he's a big minute workhorse. If that's true he'll offer nothing from the bench.

 

[Luke Bowden]

It's clearly been explained. Lots believe we need either Soro or Leota to drop back to the bench to start the year. Your counter to that is screeching "you don't bench the best starting middles in the world"
Every person except you I've seen talk about Henry says that he's a big minute workhorse. If that's true he'll offer nothing from the bench.

I’m not screeching anything. You are the one that can’t control his emotions and have a normal conversation.

You have called me an arrogant prick, super coach, whatever. You’ve made reference to my former career.

What’s your deal? Why get so worked up over the opinions of a stranger on the internet.

Just talk footy.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Whoever is 6 in WCC I think starts at 14, I think it depends on injuries and the makeup of the side

I’m not so sure. I think Ivan will want his Romey replacement playing plenty of reserve grade. Unless it’s Laurie, he’d benefit from playing 14.

I think 14 will bounce around a bit depending on the fitness of our forward pack.

I think Schneider and Cole will be the 7&6 in Reggie’s at least for the first half of the year.

I’d be really surprised if Schneider is a genuine chance of the 6 next year.

 

[Crashtest]

For such an expert coach of the game Luke really doesn't understand balancing the bench. Can't go from the impact of Spencer to a workhorse like Henry and play them in the same role.

But how do you know that Henry can’t be an impact player in first grade though? Just because he played long minutes in NSW Cup, doesn’t mean he can’t run hard and tackle hard for shorter bursts in first grade.

He is 190 cm, so its not like he is a small mobile forward that can’t dent the line, nor hurt with his defence.

 

[Chins get the wins]

But how do you know that Henry can’t be an impact player in first grade though? Just because he played long minutes in NSW Cup, doesn’t mean he can’t run hard and tackle hard for shorter bursts in first grade.

He is 190 cm, so its not like he is a small mobile forward that can’t dent the line, nor hurt with his defence.

I don't know I'm trusting the opinion of others on this site who watch a lot of juniors.

 

[maple_69]

I don’t think you necessarily need to be ‘impactful’ or destructive to be effective as a bench prop. It has been a dynamic our team has enjoyed in the past though with Leniu, Sorenson, even Tetevano. If we’re bringing two guys on who won’t be able to ratchet up the intensity for that short period in the middle, how are we taking the game away from the opposition after the early assault?

The team needs to evolve and find new ways to pick sides apart. Maybe that’s via a more direct, running hooker in Sommerton coming on. Maybe it’s a Cole coming on in the Yeo role and offering a more dynamic Murray style third ballplaying option. Or maybe it’s a left field option like Iongi coming on and offering an electric running option.

We’ve got a stack of options to toy with but I definitely think Ivan needs to look at how that prop rotation works to ensure we continue to take the take away from sides when the bench comes on. Ivan is strategically sharper than most give him credit for given his adjustments are often quite subtle but it could be opponent based as well.

 

[Iamback]

But how do you know that Henry can’t be an impact player in first grade though? Just because he played long minutes in NSW Cup, doesn’t mean he can’t run hard and tackle hard for shorter bursts in first grade.

He is 190 cm, so its not like he is a small mobile forward that can’t dent the line, nor hurt with his defence.

He is very much the same style as Eisenhuth, who has been limited in that same role

 

[Crashtest]

He is very much the same style as Eisenhuth, who has been limited in that same role

But he is a 22 year old rookie who has only played 3 first grade games. And Eisenhuth has never been able to run a 159m in a NSW Cup game, let alone average that for a whole season.

Eisenhuth plays the same whether he gets 20 minutes or 40 minutes. I think let’s see how Henry goes with getting 20 to 25 minutes off the bench before we pigeon hole him, remembering that some thought the same about Smith and were proven wrong last season.

 

[Crashtest]

If Sorensen is playing prop. Is there a need to play a 3rd on the bench?

I think we will see different benchs across the year

Sorensen filled the huge hole left by Kikau on our left edge. I can’t see him being moved back to a middle forward role this year unless there are injuries to our middles.

 

[Iamback]

Sorensen filled the huge hole left by Kikau on our left edge. I can’t see him being moved back to a middle forward role this year unless there are injuries to our middles.

He did but I thought he was better in the middle and turns 31 this year. So at the age when players have typically lost some speed.

He might be the exception due to being a late bloomer and the fact we are short edges

 

[Luke Bowden]

But he is a 22 year old rookie who has only played 3 first grade games. And Eisenhuth has never been able to run a 159m in a NSW Cup game, let alone average that for a whole season.

Eisenhuth plays the same whether he gets 20 minutes or 40 minutes. I think let’s see how Henry goes with getting 20 to 25 minutes off the bench before we pigeon hole him, remembering that some thought the same about Smith and were proven wrong last season.

Correct.

Henry is more than capable of playing what ever role is required.

 

[MrBlack]

Is Laurie really an option for 14????

Who does he replace from the bench when he comes on, surely not 1, 6, or 7??

I really rate him as an impact player, just not sure where he fits in when we have a full squad available.

Maybe, and at a stretch, he could do a short stint at 13 and play in and around the ruck against tired forwards??? (Cleary basically plays wide of Yeo anyway)

 

[Chins get the wins]

Is Laurie really an option for 14????

Who does he replace from the bench when he comes on, surely not 1, 6, or 7??

I really rate him as an impact player, just not sure where he fits in when we have a full squad available.

Maybe, and at a stretch, he could do a short stint at 13 and play in and around the ruck against tired forwards??? (Cleary basically plays wide of Yeo anyway)

We'll be able to pull Luai at halftime most weeks if we want

 

[MrBlack]

We'll be able to pull Luai at halftime most weeks if we want

Outside of injury - Why would we do that?? He is an 80 minute player and a key member of the spine??

 

[Iamback]

Is Laurie really an option for 14????

Who does he replace from the bench when he comes on, surely not 1, 6, or 7??

I really rate him as an impact player, just not sure where he fits in when we have a full squad available.

Maybe, and at a stretch, he could do a short stint at 13 and play in and around the ruck against tired forwards??? (Cleary basically plays wide of Yeo anyway)

He said last week he has been training in a few different positions.

For me Cole is better off developing in NSW Cup most weeks

 

[Chins get the wins]

Outside of injury - Why would we do that?? He is an 80 minute player and a key member of the spine??

Because we need to learn if anyone in the squad is capable of playing 5/8 in 2025. If not we go to market

 

[Black Panther]

Because we need to learn if anyone in the squad is capable of playing 5/8 in 2025. If not we go to market

No way we are going to market for a 6. Jack Cole is the man for the role come 25.