Fullback

[Kilkenny]

I have a feeling joey Williams will be there for the majority of the season based mainly on his good kicking game.

I can't help feeling our halves combination will be our achilles heel in 2008.

 

[otag]

As far as halves go, Sammut and Graham are the standouts.

graham will not make grade at half. and if he does, he´ll be the biggest player in that position in quite some time.

 

[Kilkenny]

graham will not make grade at half. and if he does, he´ll be the biggest player in that position in quite some time.

Having watched young Wade Graham quite a bit I don't see he is any bigger than the average half/five eight. He still has a lot of growing to do but I don't see him being overly big certainly not in the Trent Barrett or Braith Anasta mould.

 

[Kilkenny]

Remember Steve Turner. Lachlan Coote is going to be equally sought after and we need to get our house in order to ensure this kid is locked up long term as he is clearly the successor to Rhys Wesser.

 

[haha]

Did he play under Elliott at Bradford?

Is he currently involved with one of the Penrith dev squads?

M.W ;-)

 

[Big Mick]

Michael Withers...

 

[haha]

Michael Withers...

correct

 

[Kilkenny]

It's definitely a great problem to have. I honestly hope we look at Coote, Sammut, Graham and Watene as the place to invest funds freed up when Priddis leaves, and possibly Rooney and Lewis. Also, i think Masada Iosefa HAS to be on that list.

Panthers would be best off letting Priddis retire, and Rooney and Lewis to find other clubs. In 2 years once Wesser, Puletua etc. have retired, we would have a very exciting looking team. At an optimistic guess:

1. Lachlan Coote
2. Zoram Watene
3. Michael Jennings
4. Greg Waddel
5. Michael Gordon
6. Wade Graham
7. Jarrod Sammut
8. Petero Civinoceva (last year?)
9. Masada Iosefa
10. Tim Grant
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Maurice Blair

Or something similar to that. We will probably lose one or two of those stars. But really, we have to prioritize the likes of Waddel, Coote, Watene, Sammut, Iosefa, Graham etc. over our 2003 stars who have since done very little. That also leaves Coote, Watene, Sammut and Gordon capable of playing fullback if injury hits.

Aside from the established stars such as Big T, Priddis, Rooney, Lewis and Waterhouse there are a few of the lesser lights coming of contract at the end of 2008. O'Halloran is one for example whom it is unlikely would be resigned so with proper management we should be in a position to retain the majority of the up and coming stars although we would be niave to think we can retain them. I don't envy managements job because it is going to be difficult in the next couple of years but the platform for success has been laid and I personally think we are in a better position that at any stage of our history for sustained on field success.

 

[Kilkenny]

Then you have the likes of McKendry,Theoharous,Paulo,Blackett,Hlad,Penese etc to fill those bench spots.

Big Sam McKendry aside, the other players you mention are very mobile and all have the ability to go on and play first grade. Whether they do so with us, only time will tell. We probably can't retain them all so it will be interesting in the next season or so to see who progresses and who misses out. For mine Hlad is the pick of the bunch but he is already behind the eight ball missing out on this years top 25. Being older than the others, he only has 2008 to step up or he will surely have to look elsewhere for his opportunity.

 

[ashton]

How can we possibly keep all our juniors when we sign the likes of Tighe, Worth, woolnough& smith?All poor signings IMO.

 

[Fibroman]

How can we possibly keep all our juniors when we sign the likes of Tighe, Worth, woolnough& smith?All poor signings IMO.

I think signing Tighe and Richie Williams was a bit silly. Both similar styles and ability.

 

[Kilkenny]

How can we possibly keep all our juniors when we sign the likes of Tighe, Worth, woolnough& smith?All poor signings IMO.

Ashton, I will hold you to your quote in relation to Adam Woolnough. By the end of 2008 all Panther fans will be acknowledging his signing as a master stroke by ME. That's the Kilkenny inside mail. Mark my words.

 

[Fibroman]

If Woolnough doesn't perform, the likes of F Puletua, Grant, Hlad, McKendry and Blackett will all be ready and waiting to take the step up.