Future Immortal

[John Hamblin]

The improvementt in Nathan's game in the last two years is astounding. He is no one trick pony and has added some finese to add to his already impressive kitbag. If he continues to improve he is a big chance of becoming our first immortal.

 

[Jane Murray]

The improvementt in Nathan's game in the last two years is astounding. He is no one trick pony and has added some finese to add to his already impressive kitbag. If he continues to improve he is a big chance of becoming our first immortal.

We have Hook to thank for that. If Ivan was in charge back then, Nathan would not have debuted at such a young age. Nathan is going to improve massively soon.

 

[betcats]

I dont know about future immortal, you need to be more than just a great player for that but his development definitely has been astounding if he keeps improving anything is possible. A couple years ago when he was negotiating his current I was really worried about his creativity and giving him a huge deal but he just keeps improving, his confidence and consistency at 23 is just amazing he completely owns the team.

 

[Pomoz]

"He Would Make A Great Hooker"
(A muppet in 2019)

It's amazing how people had such polar opposite opinions. I said, both stridently and loudly, "he didn't have the creativity to be a top drawer half". On a roll, I said we "should move him to hooker". Gus said "once he has more experience he will be an elite half. Thurston and Johns were no better at that age".

One of us is a winning SOO coach, former Panthers captain and the winning coach of two premiership teams. The other is a muppet who should go back to his armchair and enjoy watching what is the best team the Panther's have ever produced. Incidentally, I include the 91 team in that and I worshipped Brandy, Cartwright and Freddie. I felt connected to the 91 team because they were mainly local juniors and lived in the same town as me. In 91, 11 of the 15 players were debuted by Penrith (it was 9 of 17 in 2003).

On Sunday 14 of the 17 players on the field debuted at the Panthers. Yet another debut with Hopgood delivering a good performance (after the tragedy he has endured, moving stuff). This team is simply inspirational to watch.

I don't know about immortal, lets not saddle him with those lofty expectations. If he can get as good as Brandy and Gower over a sustained period, I would be happy with that. He has made a pretty good start for a hooker though.............

 

[Luke Bowden]

It is wayyyy to early to even think about this.

 

[Blues Riff]

Yeah every time I hear the word "immortal", it crosses my mind.
It's probly about a decade too soon to say it out loud though.

 

[Fangs]

The hype train has well and truly started.

Understandable. He is in outstanding form, far better form than I thought he was capable of. He is also very young and has excellent support around him. We need to keep that in place. Even Johns had Buderus. Still feels a bit too soon, its sustained success and trophies that you get up there.

And just quietly...he'd be the games best 9 by now we'd also have Burton playing regularly in the halves. The alternate reality looks pretty damn good as well.

I guess he will have to settle for being the best 7 in the game instead.

 

[panthersam]

The hype train has well and truly started.

Understandable. He is in outstanding form, far better form than I thought he was capable of. He is also very young and has excellent support around him. We need to keep that in place. Even Johns had Buderus. Still feels a bit too soon, its sustained success and trophies that you get up there.

And just quietly...he'd be the games best 9 by now we'd also have Burton playing regularly in the halves. The alternate reality looks pretty damn good as well.

I guess he will have to settle for being the best 7 in the game instead.

Best player in the game instead*** just thought I’d fix that up for you haha

 

[Westernised Panther]

Perhaps it is a tad early to talk about an Immortal status for Nath but one things for sure, Brandy and Gowie have passed on their collective torches!

 

[Smug Panther]

He's already better than Gower who unlike Nath really was a hooker

 

[franklin2323]

Win a comp then have this discussion

 

[mxlegend99]

And i got bagged out for saying he would be this generations Joey once the likes of Cronk, Thurston etc. Retired.

Wasn't even about how great I thought he could become. He has certainly exceeded my expectations of his ability and I was confident he would be better once it became his team.

But rather how shit other halves coming through were. There's literally no competition for him as far as future greats go. Sam Walker so far looks the goods but god knows if he can maintain it. Need only look at Ash Taylor and Luke Brooks to see how quickly careers can die before taking off.

The fact that clubs get into bidding wars for duds like Townsend, and fight to throw huge money at 31 year old halves like Reynolds says it all about the next group of halves. Teams would prefer to risk a 31yo with a bit of recent injury history over backing a new kid to be any better.

Still got Munster I guess. He's not much older. But the other good halves like Keary, Reynolds etc. Are going to be retiring or retired when Nathan hits his peak. Not sure where he stands among the total current list. But it wont be long before he's number 1 if he isn't already.

Although if Sam Walker does kick on maybe Cleary won't be the best for long. Given he's a a Queenslander and they are due for a future immortal it's probably gonna be him.

 

[franklin2323]

And i got bagged out for saying he would be this generations Joey once the likes of Cronk, Thurston etc. Retired.

Wasn't even about how great I thought he could become. He has certainly exceeded my expectations of his ability and I was confident he would be better once it became his team.

But rather how shit other halves coming through were. There's literally no competition for him as far as future greats go. Sam Walker so far looks the goods but god knows if he can maintain it. Need only look at Ash Taylor and Luke Brooks to see how quickly careers can die before taking off.

The fact that clubs get into bidding wars for duds like Townsend, and fight to throw huge money at 31 year old halves like Reynolds says it all about the next group of halves. Teams would prefer to risk a 31yo with a bit of recent injury history over backing a new kid to be any better.

Still got Munster I guess. He's not much older. But the other good halves like Keary, Reynolds etc. Are going to be retiring or retired when Nathan hits his peak. Not sure where he stands among the total current list. But it wont be long before he's number 1 if he isn't already.

Although if Sam Walker does kick on maybe Cleary won't be the best for long. Given he's a a Queenslander and they are due for a future immortal it's probably gonna be him.

Townsend and Reynolds have won comps...Teams are always going to chase 7's in that case

 

[mxlegend99]

Townsend and Reynolds have won comps...Teams are always going to chase 7's in that case

5 and 7 years ago. Realistically they're not winning a competition again. But theyoung halves are so poor players past their peak are still getting huge offers.

Reynolds in the right team could win a competition again though. He still has plenty to offer. Any team premiership worthy wouldn't touch Townsend with a 10ft pole though.

 

[franklin2323]

5 and 7 years ago. Realistically they're not winning a competition again. But theyoung halves are so poor players past their peak are still getting huge offers.

Reynolds in the right team could win a competition again though. He still has plenty to offer. Any team premiership worthy wouldn't touch Townsend with a 10ft pole though.

halves shortage is real. So halves that can do a job effectively enough to win competitions are huge.

Neither is going to win you games but if you want field position and someone to guide young guys then you get Reynolds

 

[mxlegend99]

halves shortage is real. So halves that can do a job effectively enough to win competitions are huge.

Neither is going to win you games but if you want field position and someone to guide young guys then you get Reynolds

Honestly if Nathan hit the market today he would be getting $1.5m offers IMO. Between his age, what he offers and what no one else offers he would be a player teams f**k their cap for in a heart beat.

Got lucky to lock him up for 5 years along with his dad. Pretty much no chance he wants out for bigger money and hopefully by the time he's off contract again there are other halves good enough to stop teams getting silly with Nathan.

 

[franklin2323]

Honestly if Nathan hit the market today he would be getting $1.5m offers IMO. Between his age, what he offers and what no one else offers he would be a player teams f**k their cap for in a heart beat.

Got lucky to lock him up for 5 years along with his dad. Pretty much no chance he wants out for bigger money and hopefully by the time he's off contract again there are other halves good enough to stop teams getting silly with Nathan.

No doubt he would but those clubs would offer that wouldn't win a comp in that time.

 

[Kilkenny]

Gould has been the subject of a lot of criticism for the long term big money deals he handed out when he was at our club.

He got the Nathan Cleary one right as it turns out, probably a steal.

Even though RCG didn’t work for us, that was probably more on RCG, given he has bounced back and for the most part been earning his big salary at the Eels even if we are paying a large chunk.

Waqa Blake for mine was the disappointing one for me, a guy who really had the game at his feet, such athleticism, power and speed but has flattered to deceive. I know he has had his injuries but he has wasted his talent, he should have achieved so much more.

 

[MugaB]

Gould has been the subject of a lot of criticism for the long term big money deals he handed out when he was at our club.

He got the Nathan Cleary one right as it turns out, probably a steal.

Even though RCG didn’t work for us, that was probably more on RCG, given he has bounced back and for the most part been earning his big salary at the Eels even if we are paying a large chunk.

Waqa Blake for mine was the disappointing one for me, a guy who really had the game at his feet, such athleticism, power and speed but has flattered to deceive. I know he has had his injuries but he has wasted his talent, he should have achieved so much more.

Waqas issues aren't to do with his attack, its his defensive decisions, it keeps getting found out, and that's not someone panthers value under ivan, he would rather put a slow non attacking whare, instead of game breaking turnstyle in waqa

 

[mxlegend99]

Waqas issues aren't to do with his attack, its his defensive decisions, it keeps getting found out, and that's not someone panthers value under ivan, he would rather put a slow non attacking whare, instead of game breaking turnstyle in waqa

His defensive issues are new though..he was a really strong defender for us. He had 2 really great seasons for us with injuries disrupting them a bit. But his last injury for us he hasnt ever looked as good since. Thankfully it's in another jersey.

I would have thought a pre-season at Eels would be enough to bounce back. But he just hasn't bounced back to his best. Being fitter with us probably helped him excel with his natural talent and he's just not as fit since leaving. Always good for a couple of injuries but his form outside of them was good with us and is terrible with Eels.