Elliot: Up for the Challenge

[Caged Panther]

Up for the challenge
30Nov06
THE Panthers are gearing up for 2007 with a new coach at the helm and there are no guarantees.

The two questions on the lips of most fans, will Craig Gower take the captaincy back and who will replace the beloved Preston Campbell in the number six jersey, will not be answered until the trial matches next February, according to new coach Matthew Elliot.
He said the captaincy issue had been a hot topic in the month the Panthers have been back on the training paddock.
``That's the most-asked question since I've been here,'' Elliot said.
``And I don't know why people are coming to that assumption. The person who takes the captaincy will be the one who is best able to lead the team, and that person will choose themselves.''
Tony Puletua assumed the captaincy this year after Gower was stripped of the role following off-field indiscretions.
Elliot said he hadn't even had a chance to see either player, or former NSW and Australian hooker Luke Priddis at training yet.
``Those guys aren't due back for another week or so,'' he said. ``What I can say is that the leadership shown by Luke Lewis so far has been outstanding.''
The question of who will fill Campbell's shoes after his move to the Gold Coast is also unanswered.
``There are a few guys who are putting their hand up for the number six spot,'' Elliot said. ``But we'll wait until the trials before making any decisions.''
On a personal note, Elliot said he was enjoying the change of scenery.
``It's been great so far,'' he said. ``It's not only very exciting to have a fresh challenge, but I have been welcomed across the whole organisation.
``We're all working hard at the moment, it's a challenging time for the players physically.
``There's a great team ethos here and I want to make sure we don't lose touch with that.
``Other than that, we're focusing on the thousand things we need to do as a team in order to be successful next season.''

http://www.penrithpress.com.au/article/2006/11/30/1782_sports.html

 

[griffo346]

Sounds positive hopefully 2007 is our year

 

[Fibroman]

Old father time will be the only true answer to your speculations my dear friends.

 

[cainen]

I'm liking Elliot being here already. We never used to hear anything much from the club in the media. This is the third or forth thing I've read about us in the last few weeks, and it's the off-season.

 

[murraymob]

There is no doubt that he is up for the challange.The training seasion i seen was super impresive.

 

[Dave Q]

"A thousand things to do" Righto Matt, heres six:

#1: Leadership group over captain, Gower as group leader.

#2: Sign Craig Wing

#3: Hire specialists to keep the forwards fresh and willing

#4: Sack Matt Adamson

#5: Move Wesser to 5/8, Wing to Fullback.

#6: Respect the Players

#7: Train up Trindall..or... raid the superleague for players.

Did everybody count six? Thats right, ones a fake!

 

[murraymob]

"A thousand things to do" Righto Matt, heres six:

#1: Leadership group over captain, Gower as group leader.

#2: Sign Craig Wing

#3: Hire specialists to keep the forwards fresh and willing

#4: Sack Matt Adamson

#5: Move Wesser to 5/8, Wing to Fullback.

#6: Respect the Players

#7: Train up Trindall..or... raid the superleague for players.

Did everybody count six? Thats right, ones a fake!

it can not be 2. I seen a truck on high street full of mirrors.That can only mean wing is moving in to penrith

 

[Dave Q]

it can not be 2. I seen a truck on high street full of mirrors.That can only mean wing is moving in to penrith

:lol:

 

[110kgpantherpower]

Lol sign wing haha ha if that was to happen i think alot of supporters would be looking for a new club to support lol.

Mind you wing has already pledged his career to the roosters so perhaps the glass truck was for another reason lol.

A thought i have is that despite the fact matty says he doesnt know who is going to be captain and 5/8th and all that, i think he does know maybe not definetly but he would have a fair idea.

My guess is gower back as captain or priddis and as for 5/8th that will be firman.

Another thing everybody has forgotten about paul aiton ate's could easily slip in at 5/8th or hooker or half back or full back.?????

 

[Big Mick]

100kg...Paul Aiton...halfback, fullback...no chance.

Five-eight...possibly but he'd need to work extremely hard on a kicking game.

Bench or lock imo.

 

[griffo346]

IMO we should do a melbourne and have a leadership group

as for 5/8 i cant see past Firman but i would like to see Trindall or Wallace maybe Wesser

if the above happens and Wesser does go to 5/8 well fullback should be Nick Youngquest

I agree with BM that Paul Aiton is lock or bench

 

[otag]

``There are a few guys who are putting their hand up for the number six spot,'' Elliot said. ``But we'll wait until the trials before making any decisions.''

a few guys? hmmmm, any guesses who those few could be....

firman, trindall, wallace, sammut are my guesses. surely not priddis or lewis?

 

[Big Mick]

Craig Trindall, Dean Caldwell, Liam Campbell, Peter Wallace, Jarrod Sammut, Wayne Bond, Brett Firman and don't be shocked to maybe see Michael Gordon tried out as well. Apparantly Micky Gordon has a great general kicking game, supposedly the second best outside Gower this year. But Dean Caldwell has a great kicking game and if he stays fit...would be my bolter for the spot.

 

[Dave Q]

I have a cold feeling about the Panthership in 07

I'm sorry, theres a lot of euphoria re Elliot, but I'm not convinced.

Its still a backline worthy of playing cricket for England.

If those forwards drop off again, nothing will save you.

 

[murraymob]

I hope more people write penrith off. With a few young players breaking into firsts there will be no presure on them.We can fly under the radar and build towards a strong season .Other clubs who have gone on buying sprees will be expected to win from the start.Beware the mountain men

 

[Dave Q]

:lol: Titan.

Everyone is all Ellioted-up.

But disaster can still strike.

High expectations lead to harder downfalls my furry titanic friend.

The jury is still out on Elliot. I am Elliot-neutral.

Oy mob-

The once mighty Panthers are now a nice fat juicy target of former rep players who have gone all cuddly, pudgy, bloated and soft.

Priddo Pride in Porridge! Clinton's Comfy, Gower Flower! Sugar is Soft!

Theres no young players good enough to get a regular gig.

Either our buddy Craig Trindall will have to go in hard or other dashing imports will have to be flown into the side "under the radar" so to speak.

I suppose you could bring back Adamson! He can annoy the other sides into submission!

(heh heh heh..bring it on lads, dont let me get away with it!-)

 

[murraymob]

In responce to your savaging of my panthers .I have been lucky enough to have seen several of the training sesions.You may be in for a shock. The young players you say dont exist watch for Jennings. Daniella. Grant all have a chance of first at some stage next year.Yes you are right several current players need to lift to hold ther places including craig. All have been put on notice they will be droped if they do not perform

 

[murraymob]

Hey Q is your young one a penrith member yet would be happy to send you membership forms. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[lainey]

:lol: Titan.

Everyone is all Ellioted-up.

But disaster can still strike.

High expectations lead to harder downfalls my furry titanic friend.

The jury is still out on Elliot. I am Elliot-neutral.

Oy mob-

The once mighty Panthers are now a nice fat juicy target of former rep players who have gone all cuddly, pudgy, bloated and soft.

Priddo Pride in Porridge! Clinton's Comfy, Gower Flower! Sugar is Soft!

Theres no young players good enough to get a regular gig.

Either our buddy Craig Trindall will have to go in hard or other dashing imports will have to be flown into the side "under the radar" so to speak.

I suppose you could bring back Adamson! He can annoy the other sides into submission!

(heh heh heh..bring it on lads, dont let me get away with it!-)

You just worry about those out at Redfern and leave the hard stuff to us here at Penrith...at least we have proof we have done made it in more recent times...the same can't be said for the Redfern boys so I wouldn't comment on what you know nothing about, ie: training and who's pudgy and whos not. The south coast training camp Matty is taking them on will be a wake up call and we they will be force to be reckoned with in 2007.

 

[110kgpantherpower]

Well i got to say dave mate your a brother and all but shut the hell up lol.

This is starting to look really familiar remember when lang first came to penrith everyone at penrith was excited about him being here, everyone out of penrith and media told us it wouldnt happen nothing would change, and sure enough we won a premiership.

In the same year with presto playing and alot of uncertainties surrounding the club yet we pulled it off.

Im not saying we are set for a premiership this season but we wont be far off.

As for ate's playing half or full back or 5/8th the guy may not play it but he can.

He has the size of wesser and speed to match he would just have to learn to read the play in a different way.


If he was to play half he would have to bulk up just abit but could play it easily his kicking game is awesome though not quite as good as gower's.

But in my opinion he will start on the bench and could either play lock 5/8th hooker half or whatever.