Depth - Cougars - Prospects

[Kilkenny]

While undertaking the depressing 2 hour drive home from Brookvale this afternoon I heard Daryl Brohman make an off the cuff statement about the Panthers lack of depth.

Who from the current premier league side are genuine prospects capable of making the step up and being quality NRL players for the club?

If you run through this afternoon's starting Cougars side whose performance to say the least was equally as ordinary as the First Grade realistically there are few if any quality players amongst them.

1. Liam Georgetown. NO.
2. Bob Blair. Jury's still out. Scored a good try this afternoon and showed genuine pace to do so. Possible.
3. Mark O'Hallaron. NO.
4. Lee Hookey. NO.
5. Chris Newton. NO.
6. Jarrod Sammut. Has potential, is a prolific try scorer and scored another try this afternoon. I have my doubts that Sammut will make the top grade and I just think he is too small to make an impact.
7. Craig Trindall. Has shown enough to suggest he can fill in as a back up to Gowie or perhaps in the 5/8 role.
8. David Thompson. Wholehearted and a journeyman but NO.
9. Keith Peters. NO.
10. Steve O'Beirne. Is getting better but I suspect he is one of those players who is above average is PL but not quite up to First Grade.
11. Junior Moors. Does virtually nothing to justify the wraps. Was anonymous this afternoon at Brookvale.
12. John Numalli. NO.
13. David McLean. Wholehearted but at the end of the road. NO.

The fact is there's not a lot there guys. There's no future champions amongst them and certainly no-one who you could honestly say will definitely be contending for a position in the top grade for 2007.

Were gonna have to spend the available $500K wisely because we need some quality. While there are kids in the Flegg and Ball who we all expect to come thru in the next couple of seasons 2007 may be to soon for most other than hopefully Jennings.

 

[Fibroman]

It's depressing.

 

[Big Mick]

Personally...throw Sammut back into Jersey Flegg....and I reckon the Flegg team would go close to knocking off PL right now.

 

[Kilkenny]

Personally...throw Sammut back into Jersey Flegg....and I reckon the Flegg team would go close to knocking off PL right now.

Very True.

 

[Big Mick]

although with Brett Kenny as coach they'd lose with 30 seconds to go

 

[Caged Panther]

yep they would conceed a T-R-I TRY!! and blow it...a bit like first grade really.

Will be interesting to see what we do in the centres this week by the sounds of things both lewis and galea will be out injured. If nothing else it should mean jennings gets a go in premier league. Though at this club who knows.

 

[Big Mick]

CP you and I both know it'll be:
3. O'Halloran, 4. Hookey

OR if they are REALLY adventurous

2. Youngquest, 3. Gordon, 4. Hookey

Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvai are going to have a deadset field day.

 

[Munky]

Ranieri looks the goods at prop IMO

 

[Bob]

It won't be Youngquest as everybody knows he can't play right wing.

 

[Big Mick]

he's been playing there for the Cougars a few occasions this season.

 

[Bob]

Lang won't start him there because he can't defend on the right wing. Thats why Gordon got the jump on him. I personally would like to see Bob Blair given an oppurtunity bit I think Lang will go with Hookey and O'Halloran.

 

[Caged Panther]

well I believe we will take the adventurous option with younquest, gordon, hookey, rooney. JL should just throw caution to the wind though, it's not like his jobs on the line.

 

[Big Mick]

I agree.

 

[cainen]

Youngquest went off injured in the game on the weekend. He mightn't even be available.

 

[Sanchez]

i thought keith peters was a superstar in the making

 

[Panthers_God]

You seem to all forget that Peter Wallace has been out for pretty much the whole season. IMO he is a good looking prospect. Perhaps not a superstar but a very capable first grader.

 

[Big Mick]

he has had 2 season ending injuries. He has played 1 season in PL and 1 game of First Grade.

In my opinion that is not enough experience to be in First Grade in such a vital position on the field.

But then again...they could still try it...I just feel it will turn out badly.

 

[Panthers_God]

Its funny how everyone loses their optimism after a loss.

Cheer up fellas! Have some faith

 

[Big Mick]

the loss has nothing to do with what I feel about Peter Wallace's first grade chances next year. I've felt that way for ages.

 

[choc_soldier]

I have to agree with Big Mick - if Wallace didn't get injured, he would have had the chance to add on to his one solitary first grade game, especially considering the number of matches that Gower has missed this year. And then we would have a ready made 5/8th for next year.

Elliot may have a punt and name him at #6 for Round 1, and he could take at it like a duck to water. Who knows. But unless we don't get anyone (increasing by the day), Lewis or Trindall will probably have the spot.