Early predictions for season 2017!

[franklin2323]

In my opinion, we have such depth and quality when we are fully fit and injury free, there is largely no need to play players for the full 80. They can all have a spell and let our bench forwards rip in. Fatigue causes players to make mistakes where it is missed tackles, dropped ball or giving away penalties. I don't think it is a case of our bench players being better than the likes of Merrin, Cartwright, Yeo, JFH etc because no there not but surely they may offer more in a 20-25 minute spell allowing the above players some rest which may make them more effective overall.

We couldn't replace an injured Blake v Bulldogs last year due to no replacements left. I can't see the coach replacing players unless they are dead on their feet.

People mention Canberra semi but imo if we have Blake and RCG we win. The way we used the bench worked the back end of the year.

Onto the footy. I would find a way to get Leota and Akuoala both in both were great in 9's and defence on the weekend was brutal

 

[franklin2323]

I think Akouala on the back of a strong pre season has wrapped up a bench spot. If Peachey starts at Centre

I think the bench will be:
Latu, JFH, Akouala, Rein/Leota

 

[betcats]

I think Latu will retain his starting spot tbh. RCG was coming off the bench when he got injured last year.

 

[franklin2323]

I think Latu will retain his starting spot tbh. RCG was coming off the bench when he got injured last year.

Either one works. I like Latu's ball playing off the bench but starting works too

 

[betcats]

Yeah I agree about Latu coming off the bench, he can come on and change our style through the middle and mix it up a bit but I was just thinking they might be cautious with RCG after the back and he seemed to get out of his little slump last season when he did his hand or thumb and came back via the bench.

Love what I saw from Sitaleki at the nines and from the highlights on the weekend, both he and Leota featured on the panthers highlights smashing Graham and Tolman all over the place.

That's why I was never against the Tamou and Browne signings, even if they don't live up to their contracts in terms of on field production they help us create an environment and culture off the field where even the established starters can not be comfortable with their spots and guys on the fringe like Leota, Sitaleki and Kikau have to being putting 110 percent at all times to try earn one of the two or three spots up for grabs. So far Tamou has looked as fit as ever at the 9s, RCG and Latu both looked great in the all stars and now Leota and Sitaleki by all reports stood up in the trial against a good first grade pack. Really looking forward to these guys pushing each other all season.

 

[franklin2323]

Teams rarely attack early so it can work in our favour too. A full pre season and 2 trials under his belt should prove RCG is fit so I expect him to play where Griffin wants him

Such depth is never a bad thing. I just hope Griffin rotates them early on until we get a settled pack. Someone like Browne might be better then Akouala in the wet.

What got us in 2015 was kids not kicking on or being injured. The fact our depth players are showing form is good signs for when injures or form slump occurs

 

[hindy111]

I realy like our chances this season.
Blake i feel will shine. And JFH and Yeo will step up. Very curious to dee how cartwright goes as it is a big year for him.
Lets get behind the boys this season and get some big crowds. Its the year of the panthers!!!

 

[soc123_au]

I realy like our chances this season.
Blake i feel will shine. And JFH and Yeo will step up. Very curious to dee how cartwright goes as it is a big year for him.
Lets get behind the boys this season and get some big crowds. Its the year of the panthers!!!

Have you fully embraced your inner Panther?

 

[Kilkenny]

I know I've said it time and time again, so very boring, but we cannot change what was successful for in 2016 so for me the Blake - Peachy combo must be our centres. That only leaves Edwards/Whare/Hiku fighting it out for the vacant wing spot.

Cartwright covers the halves in the event something unforseen happens to Cleary or TMM during a game.

Yeo provides cover accross the three quarters.

Depending which front rower makes the run on side of Latu/RCG one of them comes of the bench, along with JFH, Akauola and that leaves one bench spot up for grabs. Seriously you could probably pick any one of half a dozen or more and they could offer value.

The only other contentious spot may be the hooking role. I feel Wallace as the incumbent will get first crack but if Hook goes another way I guess he knows best.

As I have said previously I don't remember when we had such quality depth accross all positions. Too much depth as so many talented players, NRL quality are going to have to play Intrust Super Cup.

 

[hindy111]

Have you fully embraced your inner Panther?

I feel like there is a little chocolate soldier in all of us.

 

[hindy111]

Whare and Hiku are test players.
What makes DWZ so special. I reckon he will be a mid season release once Mansour is back.
Dogs/saints/eels.

1Moylan
2Hiku
3Whare
4Blake
5 DWZ/Mansour

Peach on bench.
I like Peach in centres.But you pick your best 17 and Hiku and Whare are NZ internationals.Whare was best defensive centre in comp. Never under estimate defense.

 

[Panther91-03]

Whare and Hiku are test players.
What makes DWZ so special. I reckon he will be a mid season release once Mansour is back.
Dogs/saints/eels.

1Moylan
2Hiku
3Whare
4Blake
5 DWZ/Mansour

Peach on bench.
I like Peach in centres.But you pick your best 17 and Hiku and Whare are NZ internationals.Whare was best defensive centre in comp. Never under estimate defense.

So is DWZ and he's been in way better form especially last year and I think the momentum will keep going while hiku can score tries but is terrible in defense and is always injured for the long term. At this point I'd have hiku as the back up and DWZ starting

 

[TheFrog]

What makes DWZ so special. I reckon he will be a mid season release once Mansour is back.

I was one of those prepared to drop DWZ about two thirds of the way through last season. Mainly because he was a turnstile in defence. He certainly picked up his game in the back end of the season but his speed was exposed a couple of times.

Hiku has also been known to be soft in defence, certainly well behind Blake and Whare in that regard. He's a renowned try scorer though. I would not rule out Edwards for the wing either.

The soon to be announced trial side may give some clues as to what to expect. Hook has some selection headaches to mull over, no doubt about it.

 

[betcats]

DWZ over Hiku for sure. Why would we release him mid season when we just re-signed him a couple months ago?

 

[Panther_Daz]

I get a feeling Akuaola, Leota and Kikau are fighting for 1 bench spot.

All are in terrific form. Excellent problem to have!

Happy with whatever choice is made by Hook.

 

[mxlegend99]

Kikau not named against Eels.
Whare and Hiku named on the wing.
Mckendry has been named on the bench in 16...

 

[MrBlack]

No DWZ ??

 

[TheFrog]

No DWZ ??

He's yet to take the field this year. If he was injured you'd think we'd hear about it. I'm sure if anything is going on we'll know sooner rather than later.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

He's yet to take the field this year. If he was injured you'd think we'd hear about it. I'm sure if anything is going on we'll know sooner rather than later.

Acording to this in the western weekender everyone is fit.
“Everyone is fit and healthy at the moment and there’s a lot of competition for spots, especially in the forwards,” Griffin said.
http://westernweekender.com.au/2017/02/trial-theres-no-such-thing/

 

[TheFrog]

Merrin is missing too, and he hasn't taken the field yet either. Maybe he and DWZ are settled for the round 1 side, and are being left out so others could be tried. To that end, I suspect Blake and Whare will swap places for part of the game, Edwards will come on and put Hiku to centre, and Peach will assume his roving role.