After round 9, are we back?

[snickers007]

Time to make a call Panther fans!

After 9 matches, we sit in 15th, with a 3-6 record.
Still have the State of Origin period to navigate, and all 3 of our byes.

So where do we finish? Let's put our balls on the table (@Chins )

 

[snickers007]

Personally, I think Top 4 is out of reach, but Top 8 is acheivable.

Caveat to this is that we'll need a good run with injuries, and will need to play some of Origin boys on the short turn-around.

 

[hindy111]

Let's see how go next week. I thought after the Roosters win things where back on track.

 

[Chins]

I think about 10th. Origin will be brutal

 

[betcats]

A win this week into the bye will be big for our chances. If we dont get that no we arent back, previous years team won when we had to and this week is another must win.

 

[Fangs]

Confidence hasn't wavered. When the big games arrive we keep turning up. Just need to find consistency in those games we should be winning.

We will finish 5th-8th. But top 4 is out of reach you'd think.

The SOO period is just massive for us. 4 Western Sydney derbies in total. Fans need to get out to Parra in force for these games at Commbank.

 

[unKwn]

4th

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

2 wins out the 8, without a bye.

Top 8 is as safe as houses.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Like others not sure. Does Garner need to stay at centre. He appears to help heaps in defense and ruck speed in the middle.

It that happens Milky will go back to cup. I think Pauly A and Tago are finally beginning to gel.

Like others I believe Penrith need to win this weekend with Bizza back then flow into the bye.

Liked the idea of TT and Sommerton to replace Kenny. Patea needs to stay he offers impact off the bench. Think Scotty too hotty needs to cool his jets perhaps in cup.

What do others think ?

 

[Whino]

Great win yesterday but see how we go against the Cows first.

 

[ALX25]

Patea needs to stay he offers impact off the bench.

Was exceptional.

 

[Sime_11]

top 4 is possible but highly unlikely - for this to happen we would need:

1. a huge win streak (10 in a row)
2. origin period more wins then losses
3. inconsistent/shock results to continue for the year.

we are definetely not "back" but yesterday was the best performance of the year - if we can play like that for the rest of the year, we make the top 4 IMO

Dogs and Raiders seem to be the 2 teams you'd back from here to make the finals - the Wahs are playing well but they dont have the defensive mindset of canterbury or the attacking moment the Raiders have when they are on a roll.

game by game - that should always be the plan

 

[hindy111]

I think about 10th. Origin will be brutal

The only game you're missing players is against the Knights who will also be missing Ponga. The next two origins you have the BYE.

It's Ivan's choice to back up players or not.

I'd probably tank the away game to NZ and not bother backing up guys.
The other two games are against Parra. Probably can rest 2 or 3 guys. Perhaps keep Nathan on bench and see how game goes but very winnable even if rest a few.

 

[hindy111]

Like others not sure. Does Garner need to stay at centre. He appears to help heaps in defense and ruck speed in the middle.

It that happens Milky will go back to cup. I think Pauly A and Tago are finally beginning to gel.

Like others I believe Penrith need to win this weekend with Bizza back then flow into the bye.

Liked the idea of TT and Sommerton to replace Kenny. Patea needs to stay he offers impact off the bench. Think Scotty too hotty needs to cool his jets perhaps in cup.

What do others think ?

You must pick the strongest defensive side you can. If get into a tough grind you win most I think. If get into a shoot out I'd back plenty of other sides. Anytime you can keep the opposition under 18 is a game ost likely you'll win.

 

[Bred not Bought]

Not yet.

We need to back this performance up again and again. Including against lesser sides.

We need to also win games at Comm bank.

In regards to Origin. I would be very cautious in backing up players with past soft tissue injuries. Cleary had problems in the past with hamstrings. To'o this year. Neither should be risked on short backups. Maybe Edwards too with his injuries this year. Assuming he gets picked.

Vital 2 points this weekend.

 

[Goonji]

So far this season other teams keep knocking each other off. Only two consistent teams, dogs and raiders. If this pattern remains and we continue to win, top 8 is guaranteed. Origin is the only barrier.

 

[betcats]

Its clear we still have some big game ability. We got up for Vegas. We got up for the 2nd roosters game(afterthat embarrassing first loss) and we got up for Magic round. I mean you could say our slide started late last year i think, we were just barely doing enough to win games before the finals and then we flicked a switch for finals and turned it on big time.

The difference this year is a bunch of new combinations and a couple more core players gone and we arent good enough right now to do just enough to win in games that we arent up for. If we arent up for it atm we are getting soundly beaten.

 

[Chins]

Its clear we still have some big game ability. We got up for Vegas. We got up for the 2nd roosters game(afterthat embarrassing first loss) and we got up for Magic round. I mean you could say our slide started late last year i think, we were just barely doing enough to win games before the finals and then we flicked a switch for finals and turned it on big time.

The difference this year is a bunch of new combinations and a couple more core players gone and we arent good enough right now to do just enough to win in games that we arent up for. If we arent up for it atm we are getting soundly beaten.

Senior players like Marto and Leota have been the issue really

 

[Iamback]

Personally, I think Top 4 is out of reach, but Top 8 is acheivable.

Caveat to this is that we'll need a good run with injuries, and will need to play some of Origin boys on the short turn-around.

We are only 6 points from 4th. Who have had a bye already. So a decent run it is still possible. I think we finish 6th.

Us full strength in the finals I am backing even from bottom 4

 

[Chins]

We are only 6 points from 4th. Who have had a bye already. So a decent run it is still possible. I think we finish 6th.

Us full strength in the finals I am backing even from bottom 4

We'll win the comp if we make the 8 but I don't see it