Bega Trial vs the Eels

[Kilkenny]

The entire point of trial matches is to work out the roster. This idea that they are meaningless only applies to the score.

I said picking Luai because he waited, which the comment I replied to said, is sentimentality.

Just because Luai hung around and stayed loyal means nothing. If Matt Burton is a better choice, option, player then let’s run with him. I have no issues with that.

 

[Dave's mate]

Let’s be realistic here Ivan has very few options and that is largely of his own doing.

He chose not to recruit an outside back for this season when it was obvious to almost everyone we needed a quality outside back or a depth signing at the very least.

You can sugar coat it all you like but it will be our Achilles heal this season and if injury strikes more than one of our outside back’s we will be back to the days of having back rowers playing both centre roles.

Needed a hooker far more and we got a good one

 

[Kilkenny]

The only reason Mansour and Whare will play round 1 is due to sentimentality so why not the same for Luai?

That’s bull shit and a stupid comment.

You think Ivan or any other first grade coach picks player based on sentimentality as opposed to who is the best available.

They are still the best options available given the outside backs we have to chose from for Round 1. Luai is in a different situation he actually has serious competition for the number 6 role and Ivan can go either way.

 

[GongPanther]

Whare is an outstanding defensive centre, Sauce will probably make it on reputation.

It looked like he was back to his best after getting over a shitty 2019 after injury, albeit in a trial. Acid test will be in exactly two weeks time V Easts.

We need him badly to revive his defensive form that we came accustomed to. (lighting a candle with prayer book in hand)

 

[franklin2323]

Let’s be realistic here Ivan has very few options and that is largely of his own doing.

He chose not to recruit an outside back for this season when it was obvious to almost everyone we needed a quality outside back or a depth signing at the very least.

You can sugar coat it all you like but it will be our Achilles heal this season and if injury strikes more than one of our outside back’s we will be back to the days of having back rowers playing both centre roles.

I have asked this before. What outside did we miss out on that available? I can’t think of any

Jed has played plenty of centre. More centre then forward so he could be classed as a back

We lost one centre. And have 2 in his place so are better balanced then we were last year.

Now McInnes is hurt. Say Cook goes down would anyone be in front of Api for SOO half? I say no. So not like we wasted money on duds

 

[Kilkenny]

Needed a hooker far more and we got a good one

At no stage did I ever suggest Api is not a terrific player. He is we all know that.

All I said was our first and was pressing priority should have been a quality outside back or wing, preferably someone with pace.

Api and two outside back’s would have been the way to go in my opinion and at the same time hang onto Wade Egan as the number 1 back up.

I think we would have been better served overall, with two outside backs as opposed to the Capewell & Tetevano signings given our depth in the forwards.

 

[Dave's mate]

I have asked this before. What outside did we miss out on that available? I can’t think of any

Jed has played plenty of centre. More centre then forward so he could be classed as a back

We lost one centre. And have 2 in his place so are better balanced then we were last year.

Now McInnes is hurt. Say Cook goes down would anyone be in front of Api for SOO half? I say no. So not like we wasted money on duds

Agree but although Capewell is a good player im not so sure he was needed. Especially if May is the 14

 

[franklin2323]

That’s bull shit and a stupid comment.

You think Ivan or any other first grade coach picks player based on sentimentality as opposed to who is the best available.

They are still the best options available given the outside backs we have to chose from for Round 1. Luai is in a different situation he actually has serious competition for the number 6 role and Ivan can go either way.

Yes. They often do easier to pick those who they know can do the job... then go for a risky selection

 

[mxlegend99]

With Edwards out. Why was there no audition for fullback?

Crichton should have had arun at 1. Likewise Luai and/or Burton. Seen who's the best man for the job.

Aekins is average af. Yet he just gets the job by default.

 

[franklin2323]

Agree but although Capewell is a good player im not so sure he was needed. Especially if May is the 14

Edge forwards needed help. It allows Kikau or Martin to start of the bench and tighten up outwide

 

[betcats]

Api looked great he is a big addition that should makes things easier for the halves and the forwards. The backs are thin but Crichton is surely going to be there somewhere, he makes things look a bit better imo.

 

[mxlegend99]

Whare actually played well today. The Naden bombed try is a bit harsh, the defence was already all over him. Sauce bombed that unfortunately, I don’t know how he didn’t score it was a great pass from Luai.

Its unfair to expect an NRL player to score from an offload with no work to do pther than catch and plant?

Mansour bombed it first. But Naden 100% had to score in that position. Both players f**ked it up.

 

[betcats]

With Edwards out. Why was there no audition for fullback?

Crichton should have had arun at 1. Likewise Luai and/or Burton. Seen who's the best man for the job.

Aekins is average af. Yet he just gets the job by default.

Crichton did get a run there.

 

[soc123_au]

Luai waiting for his chance wont get any sentimentality concessions and nor should he. Sauce & Whare on the other hand have done plenty to be given first shot. Both have had extended runs of being in the top few players in the side. That said when your time is up, its up. A few rounds should be enough to see either way.

 

[OldPanther]

At no stage did I ever suggest Api is not a terrific player. He is we all know that.

All I said was our first and was pressing priority should have been a quality outside back or wing, preferably someone with pace.

Api and two outside back’s would have been the way to go in my opinion and at the same time hang onto Wade Egan as the number 1 back up.

I think we would have been better served overall, with two outside backs as opposed to the Capewell & Tetevano signings given our depth in the forwards.

Egan asked to leave. The club would have kept him if he wanted.

 

[Kilkenny]

It’s all largely pointless argument now because we have our top 30 and at least until June 30 when the development players are eligible we have the players we can pick our 17 from.

I look forward to seeing how Ivan goes, it will be interesting at the very least. At least he has some tough decisions, even if some are unwanted ones.

 

[mxlegend99]

Crichton did get a run there.

When did that happen? I dont recall him fielding any bombs. Well aside from one where I thought he was at centre inside of To'o. Might have been at fullback for it though. Aekins had to have spent atleast 80% of the game at 1. Such a waste not to see what we can add to our attack at 1.

 

[Dave's mate]

When did that happen? I dont recall him fielding any bombs. Well aside from one where I thought he was at centre inside of To'o. Might have been at fullback for it though. Aekins had to have spent atleast 80% of the game at 1. Such a waste not to see what we can add to our attack at 1.

He let one bounce by being timid. Might be the best of our options there but he needs to pull the trigger and commit to making the ball his

 

[GongPanther]

Let’s be realistic here Ivan has very few options and that is largely of his own doing.

He chose not to recruit an outside back for this season when it was obvious to almost everyone we needed a quality outside back or a depth signing at the very least.

You can sugar coat it all you like but it will be our Achilles heal this season and if injury strikes more than one of our outside back’s we will be back to the days of having back rowers playing both centre roles.

Capewell is more than a formidable centre. Anyway, I'm also of the view that I have faith in what the coaches will name the Panthers V Easts. Whether Luai plays or not is besides the point, as long as it turns out to be the right move.

 

[Kilkenny]

Egan asked to leave. The club would have kept him if he wanted.

I understand that, but this is a kid we developed over some seasons, silly suggestions he may have been the next Cameron Smith, but talented none the less and would have been the best option as back up hooker to Api. I think he had more to give if we had of stuck with him but again it’s a pointless argument now.