General Discussion Thread

[Westernised Panther]

Look at the Author. Enough said

The form of the guys let go by us. Probably tells more of the story

Agreed. Has any ex-player in the last five years achieved greater success since leaving?

 

[franklin2323]

Agreed. Has there been any ex-player in recent history that has found more success since leaving?

None I can think of. Moylan had a year or so but the rest nope.

So hard to say it is the coach when they played their best football here

 

[MugaB]

Ouch, what a hatchet job done on Griffin. Hard to argue with much of that. Although the game plan changed from 5 hitups and a kick, to run it on the last if inside the opposition 10.

Interestingly done by Gould's mate Webster.

Funny that the articles timing, hook is about to interview for the dragons head coach vacated position, and webster is a massive dragons fan, obviously doesn't want Griffin getting the job.
Personally i think hook is a great coach, and probably had his limits, but a lot better in terms of experience and something a side like the dragons absolutely need as the head coach, at least until dean young can learn off

 

[Fangs]

https://www.facebook.com/refusetolosepodcast/

Latest podcast is on Preston Campbell. Details his battle with depression in 2002. Absolutely worth a listen.

 

[franklin2323]

Funny that the articles timing, hook is about to interview for the dragons head coach vacated position, and webster is a massive dragons fan, obviously doesn't want Griffin getting the job.
Personally i think hook is a great coach, and probably had his limits, but a lot better in terms of experience and something a side like the dragons absolutely need as the head coach, at least until dean young can learn off

They have a poor record with ex players as coaches... so why change things up. Will be Dean Young and we still get our lols

 

[Westernised Panther]

Our team is on top but, according to Joey Johns, only one Panther makes the NSW and Australian team this year..........


https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/andrew-johns-picks-nsw-australia-sides-for-2020/0c79f46f-43d0-4d99-91c7-8f03fb26cc31?ocid=Social-NRLFS


EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns picks his NSW, Kangaroos sides for 2020

By Ben Glover

Andrew Johns has picked his NSW and Australia sides for 2020, with two Newcastle stars the big name casualties from last year's series-winning Blues.

Knights enforcer David Klemmer has been close to a permanent fixture in NSW sides since he debuted as a 21-year-old in 2015, yet he would feel the axe if Johns was selecting the side today, as he did this week for Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

And his captain at club level Mitchell Pearce would also miss the Blues side despite earning Origin redemption in last year's series decider when he started the play that led to James Tedesco's thrilling late try that broke Queensland hearts.

Knights star Mitchell Pearce cops his marching orders. (Nine) (Nine)

It was Pearce's first taste of a series victory in an Origincareer that has spanned 19 games in over a decade.

Having shaken the monkey from his back, Pearce would be forced to watch from his living room as Brad Fittler's side attempted to equal NSW's best teams in history thanks to a famous three-peat.


Coming into the side for Pearce would be Nathan Cleary, who only missed Game Three last year due to injury. Cleary would be joined at the Blues' scrum-base by Luke Keary who is widely regarded to hold the mantle of the game's best playmaker but has still never played at Origin level.

With Cleary piloting the Panthers to a likely minor premiership, a partnership with the three-time premiership-winning Rooster would be a daunting challenge for Queensland.

Panthers star Nathan Cleary (centre) has been in great form for the Panthers. (Getty)
Yet perhaps even more intimidating is a forward pack with no room for Klemmer, with Johns opting for a front-row of Daniel Saifiti and uncapped Eels star Junior Paulo, with Broncos monster Payne Haas to terrorise the Maroons off the bench.

While he made some changes to refresh the line-up, Johns was keen to reward the incumbents who have built something special under Fittler, choosing a virtually unchanged backline.

Blake Ferguson is yet to get off the nudie run for the Eels this season, yet he'd be back in Johns' team due to his heroic late act to set-up Tedesco with last year's series-clinching try.

The one change Johns would make to the backline from that game would be to blood Broncos gun Kotoni Staggs in the centres, with the 21-year-old getting the nod just ahead of Dragons starlet Zac Lomax due to injuries to incumbent Tom Trbojevic and in-form superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Kotoni Staggs of the Brisbane Broncos. (Getty) (Getty)
Johns couldn't quite find room for Lomax or Cody Walker who he said would "be in the squad also" and could potentially be brought onto the bench in jersey 14 so Fittler could "just throw him on and say win us the game. He's such a great player."

Andrew Johns' NSW side for 2020

1. James Tedesco 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Jack Wighton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Luke Keary 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Paulo 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Boyd Cordner (c) 13. Jake Trbojevic. Bench: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Dale Finucane 16. Wade Graham 17. Payne Haas. 18th man:Cody Walker, 19th man: Zac Lomax

That side would also make up the bulk of Johns' Kangaroos squad, with the Halfback of the Century delighting in a line-up punctuated by the odd speck of Maroon.

"It's also loaded with NSW players, which will be very popular up north," Johns joked before revealing he had dumped Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans in favour of NSW halfback Cleary.

Andrew Johns' Kangaroos side for 2020

1. James Tedesco 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Jack Wighton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Dane Gagai 6. Cameron Munster 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Josh Papalii 9. Damien Cook 10. Payne Haas 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Boyd Cordner (c) 13. Jake Trbojevic. Bench: 14. Kalyn Ponga 15. Cameron Murray 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Josh McGuire.

 

[WestyLife]

Our team is on top but, according to Joey Johns, only one Panther makes the NSW and Australian team this year..........


https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/andrew...43d0-4d99-91c7-8f03fb26cc31?ocid=Social-NRLFS


EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns picks his NSW, Kangaroos sides for 2020

By Ben Glover

Andrew Johns has picked his NSW and Australia sides for 2020, with two Newcastle stars the big name casualties from last year's series-winning Blues.

Knights enforcer David Klemmer has been close to a permanent fixture in NSW sides since he debuted as a 21-year-old in 2015, yet he would feel the axe if Johns was selecting the side today, as he did this week for Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

And his captain at club level Mitchell Pearce would also miss the Blues side despite earning Origin redemption in last year's series decider when he started the play that led to James Tedesco's thrilling late try that broke Queensland hearts.

Knights star Mitchell Pearce cops his marching orders. (Nine) (Nine)

It was Pearce's first taste of a series victory in an Origincareer that has spanned 19 games in over a decade.

Having shaken the monkey from his back, Pearce would be forced to watch from his living room as Brad Fittler's side attempted to equal NSW's best teams in history thanks to a famous three-peat.


Coming into the side for Pearce would be Nathan Cleary, who only missed Game Three last year due to injury. Cleary would be joined at the Blues' scrum-base by Luke Keary who is widely regarded to hold the mantle of the game's best playmaker but has still never played at Origin level.

With Cleary piloting the Panthers to a likely minor premiership, a partnership with the three-time premiership-winning Rooster would be a daunting challenge for Queensland.

Panthers star Nathan Cleary (centre) has been in great form for the Panthers. (Getty)
Yet perhaps even more intimidating is a forward pack with no room for Klemmer, with Johns opting for a front-row of Daniel Saifiti and uncapped Eels star Junior Paulo, with Broncos monster Payne Haas to terrorise the Maroons off the bench.

While he made some changes to refresh the line-up, Johns was keen to reward the incumbents who have built something special under Fittler, choosing a virtually unchanged backline.

Blake Ferguson is yet to get off the nudie run for the Eels this season, yet he'd be back in Johns' team due to his heroic late act to set-up Tedesco with last year's series-clinching try.

The one change Johns would make to the backline from that game would be to blood Broncos gun Kotoni Staggs in the centres, with the 21-year-old getting the nod just ahead of Dragons starlet Zac Lomax due to injuries to incumbent Tom Trbojevic and in-form superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Kotoni Staggs of the Brisbane Broncos. (Getty) (Getty)
Johns couldn't quite find room for Lomax or Cody Walker who he said would "be in the squad also" and could potentially be brought onto the bench in jersey 14 so Fittler could "just throw him on and say win us the game. He's such a great player."

Andrew Johns' NSW side for 2020

1. James Tedesco 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Jack Wighton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Luke Keary 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Paulo 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Boyd Cordner (c) 13. Jake Trbojevic. Bench: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Dale Finucane 16. Wade Graham 17. Payne Haas. 18th man:Cody Walker, 19th man: Zac Lomax

That side would also make up the bulk of Johns' Kangaroos squad, with the Halfback of the Century delighting in a line-up punctuated by the odd speck of Maroon.

"It's also loaded with NSW players, which will be very popular up north," Johns joked before revealing he had dumped Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans in favour of NSW halfback Cleary.

Andrew Johns' Kangaroos side for 2020

1. James Tedesco 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Jack Wighton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Dane Gagai 6. Cameron Munster 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Josh Papalii 9. Damien Cook 10. Payne Haas 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Boyd Cordner (c) 13. Jake Trbojevic. Bench: 14. Kalyn Ponga 15. Cameron Murray 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Josh McGuire.

He's taking the piss surely.

 

[BxTom]

He's taking the piss surely.

Picking a team on past form - that'll do wonders...

 

[John Hamblin]

Picking a team on past form - that'll do wonders...

What about YEO?????

 

[WestyLife]

Picking a team on past form - that'll do wonders...

A normal mid season origin I can see incumbency being a thing but this end of season should be a bit different.

 

[franklin2323]

He's taking the piss surely.

Tommy T plays surely

 

[Kilkenny]

Shame the Bunnies couldn’t quite get the job done tonight would have almost guaranteed us the minor premiership. Thought they were a touch unlucky Ashley Klein played a big part in getting the Storm home, not least being the try which levelled the game, Clearly a forward pass from Smith out of dummy half.

 

[The_Frog]

Tommy T plays surely

If he can get back on the field and prove his fitness. It might be in his interests, with Manly now out of the running, to not bring him back until 2021.

I expect Fittler will take far more notice of current form than Joey has done here, especially form during the finals.

 

[Jane Murray]

If he can get back on the field and prove his fitness. It might be in his interests, with Manly now out of the running, to not bring him back until 2021.

I expect Fittler will take far more notice of current form than Joey has done here, especially form during the finals.

Freddy has already gone on record saying as such.

 

[The Realist]

Nobody on our team would deserve a spot in a NSW/QLD/Aussie team other than Cleary.

We have a bunch of good to very good players - none really 'outstanding'. You could make a case for JFH and Kikau but they aren't Aussies so there is that...

 

[Jane Murray]

Nobody on our team would deserve a spot in a NSW/QLD/Aussie team other than Cleary.

We have a bunch of good to very good players - none really 'outstanding'. You could make a case for JFH and Kikau but they aren't Aussies so there is that...

Really? Stephen Crichton, and Liam Martin, are doing extremely well this season.

 

[Westernised Panther]

Really? Stephen Crichton, and Liam Martin, are doing extremely well this season.

plus Yeo, who is already on Freddy’s radar.

and Api shouldn’t be forgotten. Plenty of talk around that he and Cook are battling for the NSW hooking role.

 

[Jane Murray]

plus Yeo, who is already on Freddy’s radar.

and Api shouldn’t be forgotten. Plenty of talk around that he and Cook are battling for the NSW hooking role.

Spencer Leniu is another. What he did, in only 26 minutes, was impressive.

 

[WestyLife]

Shame the Bunnies couldn’t quite get the job done tonight would have almost guaranteed us the minor premiership. Thought they were a touch unlucky Ashley Klein played a big part in getting the Storm home, not least being the try which levelled the game, Clearly a forward pass from Smith out of dummy half.

I thought so as well but the side on camera showed the pass was flat. The skill to get the ball right at that point without throwing it forward is crazy.

 

[The_Frog]

Ouch, what a hatchet job done on Griffin. Hard to argue with much of that. Although the game plan changed from 5 hitups and a kick, to run it on the last if inside the opposition 10.

Interestingly done by Gould's mate Webster.

Absolutely extraordinary to see a journalist attempting to influence an NRL club on its choice of coach. And in almost the same breath he praises Maguire to the rooftops after the dire season he's presided over at the Tigers. Can only be seen as personal.