Early predictions for season 2017!

[Westernised Panther]

In 2005 we were among the favourites, and I recall Phil Gould (then at the Roosters) tipping us, but I don't see how we could have been ahead of the Grand Finalists, the Roosters and Bulldogs (both of them missed the finals and we did as well). You have to go back to 1992. We were probably favourites that year at the start. Didn't do us much good

To be fair, the Panthers were looking good in 1992 until Alexander suffered a terrible injury in round 5 against Illawarra (they flogged a full-strength Broncos side in Brisbane the week before). They did regroup and were still very competitive despite Alexander's absence but then the tragedy of Ben Alexander happened and the wheels fell off.

From memory they still had a chance to make the top 5 during the last round but they needed to win that game and needed Canberra to beat Newcastle. Neither occurred

 

[Kilkenny]

Unless Whare & Hiku display really strong form in the trials I can't see a spot for either in the top 17 for round 1. They need to earn their spots on form.

 

[Kilkenny]

As in stands now, prior to the trials I am thinking this is looking most likely side for round 1;

1. Moylan. 2. DWZ. 3. Blake. 4. Peachy. 5. Edwards. 6. TMM. 7. Cleary. 8. Tamou. 9. Wallace. 10. Latu. 11. Yeo. 12. Cartwright 13. Merrin.

14. JFH. 15. RCG. 16. Akauola. 17. Leota.

Viliame Kikau is the smokey if he delivers in the trials to force his way onto the bench at the expense of Moses Leota.

 

[Big Mick]

If TMM doesn't perform in the trials and he might not as there has been talk about him maybe having a poor attitude at training....then I'd roll with:

1. DWZ, 2. Hiku, 3. Blake, 4. Whare, 5. Edwards, 6. Moylan, 7. Cleary, 8. Tamou, 9. Wallace, 10. Latu, 11. Yeo, 12. Cartwright, 13. Merrin
14. RCG, 15. Leota, 16. JFH, 17. Peach

As you said, Kikau smokey if he plays well in the trials.

But if TMM play's well I'd run with:

1. Moylan 2. DWZ 3. Blake 4. Whare 5. Edwards 6. TMM 7. Cleary 8. Tamou 9. Wallace 10. Latu 11. Yeo 12. Cartwright 13. Merrin

14. JFH 15. RCG 16. Peach 17. Leota/Kikau

 

[CCJohnC]

I like to the look of May perhaps in the halves if injuries strike.

 

[Kilkenny]

If TMM doesn't perform in the trials and he might not as there has been talk about him maybe having a poor attitude at training....then I'd roll with:

1. DWZ, 2. Hiku, 3. Blake, 4. Whare, 5. Edwards, 6. Moylan, 7. Cleary, 8. Tamou, 9. Wallace, 10. Latu, 11. Yeo, 12. Cartwright, 13. Merrin
14. RCG, 15. Leota, 16. JFH, 17. Peach

As you said, Kikau smokey if he plays well in the trials.

But if TMM play's well I'd run with:

1. Moylan 2. DWZ 3. Blake 4. Whare 5. Edwards 6. TMM 7. Cleary 8. Tamou 9. Wallace 10. Latu 11. Yeo 12. Cartwright 13. Merrin

14. JFH 15. RCG 16. Peach 17. Leota/Kikau

I agree TMM will have to deliver the goods in the trials to secure his spot. We do have other options so it will surely be up to him to get the job done. He is hugely talented we shouldn't forget that. Just needs some confidence and I am sure he is a real superstar in the making.

 

[Kilkenny]

I get the feeling Akauola is busting his guts to get a spot on our bench this season. I hope his commitment and determination is rewarded by a spot on our bench in round 1. I really think he could be good for us this season. Not flashy just good old fashioned Marty Lang type roll the sleeves up and take it up 100mph.

 

[betcats]

Yeah I like Sitaleki, I think he needs to improve his discipline from last year but we need an aggressive runner like him in the middle, if he has worked hard this offseason I think we will see him off the bench quite a bit.

 

[franklin2323]

I think Peachey is wasted on the bench. I'd be happy to keep last years centres if it comes to it. All training as they should. I'd go: Moylan
DWZ
Whare
Peachey
Blake
TMM
Cleary
RCG
Wallace
Tamou
Yeo
Cartwright
Merrin:

Latu
JFH

The last 2 spots may get 20mins between them. I'd go:

Akoulala/Leota
May/Katoa.

Though McKendry, Hiku, Edwards, Rein & Browne no doubt will come into consideration

 

[franklin2323]

Great problem to have

 

[maple_69]

All really strong outfits. Trials should be interesting with plenty of good players competing for those 4/5 spots up for grabs for the form player. We will find it hard to complain regardless of which way Griffin goes I think. Unless Cartwright ends up in the halves or something.

 

[Big Mick]

Only thing I don't like about Aku is he is good for one dropped ball and one stupid penalty a game. Fixes those things up I'd be good picking him...but a few times last year it cost us points.

 

[Panther_Daz]

As in stands now, prior to the trials I am thinking this is looking most likely side for round 1;

1. Moylan. 2. DWZ. 3. Blake. 4. Peachy. 5. Edwards. 6. TMM. 7. Cleary. 8. Tamou. 9. Wallace. 10. Latu. 11. Yeo. 12. Cartwright 13. Merrin.

14. JFH. 15. RCG. 16. Akauola. 17. Leota.

Viliame Kikau is the smokey if he delivers in the trials to force his way onto the bench at the expense of Moses Leota.

Agree with your 1-16.

However due to the mins Merrin, Cartwright and Yeo will play I don't think the 17th player will be used much at all.

JFH is the one on the bench I would be giving big minutes too. He seem to handle 70-80 mins in his debut season very well.

Therefore I would pick either Whare or Hiku in the "Hardaker role", Rein to relieve Wallace or May for some utility value.

 

[franklin2323]

Agree with your 1-16.

However due to the mins Merrin, Cartwright and Yeo will play I don't think the 17th player will be used much at all.

JFH is the one on the bench I would be giving big minutes too. He seem to handle 70-80 mins in his debut season very well.

Therefore I would pick either Whare or Hiku in the "Hardaker role", Rein to relieve Wallace or May for some utility value.

Even in the semi Leota got no time on even the 3rd bench guy only got 20 mins most games. No reason to think this year will be any different that's why I had May as my 17. Perfect if we get an injury not taking game time off someone else to get him on like we'd do for Peachey

 

[franklin2323]

Only thing I don't like about Aku is he is good for one dropped ball and one stupid penalty a game. Fixes those things up I'd be good picking him...but a few times last year it cost us points.

We need aggression so I can handle the odd penalty for him. It was the back to back errors from him that hurt. Off season and who knows was decent in the 9's. Keep that then it's good

 

[Kilkenny]

Agree with your 1-16.

However due to the mins Merrin, Cartwright and Yeo will play I don't think the 17th player will be used much at all.

JFH is the one on the bench I would be giving big minutes too. He seem to handle 70-80 mins in his debut season very well.

Therefore I would pick either Whare or Hiku in the "Hardaker role", Rein to relieve Wallace or May for some utility value.

Valid points.

 

[betcats]

Agree with your 1-16.

However due to the mins Merrin, Cartwright and Yeo will play I don't think the 17th player will be used much at all.

JFH is the one on the bench I would be giving big minutes too. He seem to handle 70-80 mins in his debut season very well.

Therefore I would pick either Whare or Hiku in the "Hardaker role", Rein to relieve Wallace or May for some utility value.

JFH did handle the bigger minutes well but I wouldn't mind seeing him used a bit less than that for his impact, there were times he came on last season and really had a big impact with his energy alone.

I like May off the bench but if we do carry that role on the bench I hope at some point Soni Luke can push for it or Katoa, Soni probably needs to get a season under his legs first or a lot of it but I think we have to look beyond rein as our next full time hooker, off the bench yeah maybe but I don't like him playing big minutes.

 

[franklin2323]

JFH did handle the bigger minutes well but I wouldn't mind seeing him used a bit less than that for his impact, there were times he came on last season and really had a big impact with his energy alone.

I like May off the bench but if we do carry that role on the bench I hope at some point Soni Luke can push for it or Katoa, Soni probably needs to get a season under his legs first or a lot of it but I think we have to look beyond rein as our next full time hooker, off the bench yeah maybe but I don't like him playing big minutes.

I rate him in too. Would depend on the side at the time for mine. May can play FB, Centre, 5/8th, Hooker, Backrow and lock perfect should injury strike. If we play Luke there and a centre goes down it takes a bit of moving. Luke there to give Wallace a break would be my option

 

[betcats]

May certainly provides the best utility value, like you said good problem to have, all these young guys will be pushing each other for the few spots up for grabs. Even guys like Waddell and Jed would have an eye on that bench spot. There are some big packs this year, we might need a bit of extra size on the bench sometimes.

 

[GongPanther]

IMO,May should be fast tracked into the NRL.

This lad is a play maker,and one who I think would handle FG.

Imagine having Moylan,Cleary,May and Cartwright,all those play makers in the one side?

It would be the stuff of nightmares for the opposition.