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Grand Final - Panthers vs Rabbitohs: Sunday 3rd October 7:30pm @Suncorp Stadium

Messages
15,556
Host is predominantly an edge. Starting with both Murray and Arrow on the bench is one of the most ludicrous things I've heard.

Changing things up to surprise the opposition for the sake of it is moot if it means you're actually nullifying your own strengths.

Start with the same team, the best team. We've seen teams get jumped at the beginning of matches and then struggle to get back into it. Souths can be one of these teams.

Penrith are a grinding team. They've exhibited this quality time and time again. Souths have done it less so and require a fast start and maintaining it.
No, I stand by game plan. Hold the fort and unleash the chaos 25 mins in.
 

Botany Rabbit

Juniors
Messages
44
Their cheating knows no bounds.

They have almost reached the level of the Rorters, it's shameful.

They were once respected, but their cheating tactics have soiled their team.

From Clearasil being designated an endangered species by the UN World Heritage organisation, to fake moon boots and wheelchairs, to blatant rorting on goal kicks, to crying to the NRL about our coach's complaints about their rorting to the NRL, to bending the cap and hiring mercenaries who don't give a f##k about their club, to their stooge boy Atkins slime-ing himself into a position to favour them.....

Honestly the respect will belong to us if we win, to overcome all this rorting, cheating, and rule-bending favouritism, and still win, it will be the greatest upset since Rocky Balboa beat Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago to win the title
Spoken like a true Botany Boy lol
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
41,661
Source Daily Telegraph

South Sydney have reignited their feud with Penrith only days before the grand final by making a formal complaint to the NRL over the amount of time trainer Hayden Knowles spent on the field during the Panthers’ preliminary final win over Melbourne.

News Corp understands that the Rabbitohs sent an email to NRL head of football Graham Annesley on Monday raising their concerns over Knowles’ involvement in the game and asking how head office would respond.

The Rabbitohs told Annesley that they raised the issue in the “interests of ensuring a well fought grand final that is played in both the spirit of our game and within its rule”.

According to Souths, Knowles entered the field 13 times during Penrith’s game against the Storm. Under NRL rules, trainers are restricted to entering the field of player on three occasions in each half to deliver messages to the players when their team has the ball.

Outside that, they can only access the field when a try is scored, during a video referee decision, to facilitate an interchange, during a time out called by the referee and during a drop out.

Annesley was reluctant to discuss the complaint when contacted by News Corp on Tuesday but the email represents a significant escalation in the rivalry between the two sides as they prepare for Sunday night’s decider.

“Both grand final clubs are fully aware of NRL operational rules they are expected to comply with, so I am not going to enter into a public debate about it,” Annesley said.

“Our job as administrators is to make sure both teams get equal opportunity to determine the outcome of the game on their own merits.
“The focus should be solely on the players and we will be doing our best to ensure that happens.”

FROM OUR PARTNERS


Trainer Hayden Knowles came onto the field on the first tackle and stayed on the field for the entire set of Penrith’s attack late in the game.

Knowles was vocal, calling out instructions to players.

Knowles is still in the backline on tackle three as Penrith work it away from their line.

Knowles is still at it on the last tackle, shouting and gesturing as Nathan Cleary kicks downfield with less than a minute to go.

In an email reply to Souths, Annesley told the Rabbitohs that the NRL took the issue of trainer compliance with the rules very seriously.

“As you would be aware, where we form a view that any club has acted in a way contrary to the relevant provisions of the rules, the matter is then addressed directly with the club concerned,” he wrote.

“I can confirm the information you have provided has been reviewed and we will now consider whatever action we believe to be appropriate in the circumstances.”

Revelations of South Sydney’s formal complaint against Penrith will stoke the fires between the two sides, who clashed in the lead-up to their game in the opening week of the finals.

On that occasion, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary prompted a slanging match when he asked the match officials to provide more protection for his son Nathan.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett responded by suggesting Penrith were using illegal blockers to provide another layer of protection to Cleary.

Bennett had the last laugh as Souths upset Penrith and made the Panthers take the long way to the grand final. That included a game against Melbourne and it appears Souths were watching closely given the concerns they have raised with the NRL over Knowles’ involvement on Saturday night.

Knowles is seen on the field behind Penrith’s defensive line just five minutes into the game, after apparently tending to Panthers forward Tevita Panga Jr.

It is understood the Storm had issues with the amount of time Knowles spent on the field and Annesley addressed the matter at his weekly media bri[$%^&*+] on Monday. It later turned out that Souths had also raised the matter with Annesley.

“Can you please let me know at your earliest what process the NRL will follow in responding to the above incidents?” Souths head of football Mark Ellison wrote to the NRL.

“I note that it has been reported that the Penrith Panthers’ blue shirt trainer has an existing warning for breaching the role and responsibilities of a trainer while Penrith as a club currently have an accredited trainer suspended.”

Knowles was sanctioned by the NRL a week ago for his part in the stopping of play in the dying embers of the club’s finals win over Parramatta.

The club was also fined $25,000 over that incident while physic Pete Green was banned from on-field duties for the remainder of the season, meaning he will miss the grand final.

Knowles was sanctioned by the NRL for his part in the stopping of play in the club’s week two finals win over Parramatta.


SOUTHS’ CLAIMS

First Half

5:10: Blue Shirt Trainer enters the field whilst Penrith are defending. The Blue Shirt trainer assists player Pangai to his feet and moves him back into defensive line.

10:01: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field and is on the field at Tackle 5.

14:03: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

17:04: Blue Shirt Trainer hands over Card 2 to Interchange Official but this is despite having already been on the field three times prior.

19:16: Blue Shirt Trainer is standing on field whilst team is defending.

26:32: Blue Shirt Trainer leaves interchange bench and enters field with only 4 seconds left on Shot Clock for Drop Out.

39:31: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field from off side position.

Second Half

58:22: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

60:20: Blue Shirt enters field to make change but remains on field for two tackles and gives player water before exiting field.

67:35: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

73:40: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

75:38: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field for fourth time whilst not making change.

77:53: Blue Shirt Trainer leaves interchange area and coaches from sideline during defensive set. Blue Shirt Trainer enters field at end of defensive set and stays out until Tackle 5 of attacking set
 

Aliceinwonderland

First Grade
Messages
7,602
Source Daily Telegraph

South Sydney have reignited their feud with Penrith only days before the grand final by making a formal complaint to the NRL over the amount of time trainer Hayden Knowles spent on the field during the Panthers’ preliminary final win over Melbourne.

News Corp understands that the Rabbitohs sent an email to NRL head of football Graham Annesley on Monday raising their concerns over Knowles’ involvement in the game and asking how head office would respond.

The Rabbitohs told Annesley that they raised the issue in the “interests of ensuring a well fought grand final that is played in both the spirit of our game and within its rule”.

According to Souths, Knowles entered the field 13 times during Penrith’s game against the Storm. Under NRL rules, trainers are restricted to entering the field of player on three occasions in each half to deliver messages to the players when their team has the ball.

Outside that, they can only access the field when a try is scored, during a video referee decision, to facilitate an interchange, during a time out called by the referee and during a drop out.

Annesley was reluctant to discuss the complaint when contacted by News Corp on Tuesday but the email represents a significant escalation in the rivalry between the two sides as they prepare for Sunday night’s decider.

“Both grand final clubs are fully aware of NRL operational rules they are expected to comply with, so I am not going to enter into a public debate about it,” Annesley said.

“Our job as administrators is to make sure both teams get equal opportunity to determine the outcome of the game on their own merits.
“The focus should be solely on the players and we will be doing our best to ensure that happens.”

FROM OUR PARTNERS


Trainer Hayden Knowles came onto the field on the first tackle and stayed on the field for the entire set of Penrith’s attack late in the game.

Knowles was vocal, calling out instructions to players.

Knowles is still in the backline on tackle three as Penrith work it away from their line.

Knowles is still at it on the last tackle, shouting and gesturing as Nathan Cleary kicks downfield with less than a minute to go.

In an email reply to Souths, Annesley told the Rabbitohs that the NRL took the issue of trainer compliance with the rules very seriously.

“As you would be aware, where we form a view that any club has acted in a way contrary to the relevant provisions of the rules, the matter is then addressed directly with the club concerned,” he wrote.

“I can confirm the information you have provided has been reviewed and we will now consider whatever action we believe to be appropriate in the circumstances.”

Revelations of South Sydney’s formal complaint against Penrith will stoke the fires between the two sides, who clashed in the lead-up to their game in the opening week of the finals.

On that occasion, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary prompted a slanging match when he asked the match officials to provide more protection for his son Nathan.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett responded by suggesting Penrith were using illegal blockers to provide another layer of protection to Cleary.

Bennett had the last laugh as Souths upset Penrith and made the Panthers take the long way to the grand final. That included a game against Melbourne and it appears Souths were watching closely given the concerns they have raised with the NRL over Knowles’ involvement on Saturday night.

Knowles is seen on the field behind Penrith’s defensive line just five minutes into the game, after apparently tending to Panthers forward Tevita Panga Jr.

It is understood the Storm had issues with the amount of time Knowles spent on the field and Annesley addressed the matter at his weekly media bri[$%^&*+] on Monday. It later turned out that Souths had also raised the matter with Annesley.

“Can you please let me know at your earliest what process the NRL will follow in responding to the above incidents?” Souths head of football Mark Ellison wrote to the NRL.

“I note that it has been reported that the Penrith Panthers’ blue shirt trainer has an existing warning for breaching the role and responsibilities of a trainer while Penrith as a club currently have an accredited trainer suspended.”

Knowles was sanctioned by the NRL a week ago for his part in the stopping of play in the dying embers of the club’s finals win over Parramatta.

The club was also fined $25,000 over that incident while physic Pete Green was banned from on-field duties for the remainder of the season, meaning he will miss the grand final.

Knowles was sanctioned by the NRL for his part in the stopping of play in the club’s week two finals win over Parramatta.


SOUTHS’ CLAIMS

First Half

5:10: Blue Shirt Trainer enters the field whilst Penrith are defending. The Blue Shirt trainer assists player Pangai to his feet and moves him back into defensive line.

10:01: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field and is on the field at Tackle 5.

14:03: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

17:04: Blue Shirt Trainer hands over Card 2 to Interchange Official but this is despite having already been on the field three times prior.

19:16: Blue Shirt Trainer is standing on field whilst team is defending.

26:32: Blue Shirt Trainer leaves interchange bench and enters field with only 4 seconds left on Shot Clock for Drop Out.

39:31: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field from off side position.

Second Half

58:22: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

60:20: Blue Shirt enters field to make change but remains on field for two tackles and gives player water before exiting field.

67:35: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

73:40: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field.

75:38: Blue Shirt Trainer enters field for fourth time whilst not making change.

77:53: Blue Shirt Trainer leaves interchange area and coaches from sideline during defensive set. Blue Shirt Trainer enters field at end of defensive set and stays out until Tackle 5 of attacking set
 
Last edited:

Steenson123

Juniors
Messages
508
I’m ready for the media on fox and nine etc to write us all off again that’s how we like it.
The squad has several factors favouring a Victory. First the coaches. Cleary Snr. has the second longest quantum of games sans winning anything. The leader of that category? Brian Smith a perennial successful loser. In almost 20 years in NRL coaching Cleary Snr. has won zero despite being in I believe two Grand Finals and having won numerous regular season games. Second, "Go Riff" must be feeling bruised and battered as they have endured two slogging brutal physical contests that they were fortunate to survive. Third, we are 14-1 in our past 15 contests having a top 2 defense in that period and 22-4 on the season. That is outstanding and worthy of winning a Premiership. Fourth, we are 7-2 in our past 9 Grand Final appearances indicating that the club as a whole usually wins these end of the line contests. That is the impact of history and emotion but also because our squads are normally laden with class players. Yes Mitchell is a key absentee we all get that however there are still enough high quality players here to take care of their business and young Taaffe has emerged as a potential quality NRL starter. Finally, "Go Riff who entered in 1967 have won two titles in some 54 years i.e, one every 27 years a very weak strike rate. The squad is not facing their nemesis Voodoo Melbourne outfit and that should be enough to instill a high degree of confidence within, barring injury or accident.
 

Steenson123

Juniors
Messages
508
Melbourne played the worst game I have ever seen them play. Penrith weren’t that good. Melbourne we’re absolutely crap!
aslong as we defend the kicks we will win. They can’t score any other way.
Well spotted. Melbourne were simply a fraud of their usual selves and two players normally in poor sides had a lot to do with that: Georgie Jennings and Reimis Smith. Both were terrible and the loss of two key forwards early on certainly scuppered their chances.
 

Steenson123

Juniors
Messages
508
View attachment 54442
Fire up boys.

People get f**king buried with a red and green flag draped on their coffins.

It’s their last wish. Their last stand on this, Gods Earth.

Get out there and show the smug arrogance the might and the power that is the Rabbitohs.

You show these inbred flogs- that so far as you are concerned, joining the comp in 1967 makes them newcomers to the game.

They ain’t done nothing.

Do you want to live forever?


f**k Smug and f**k their Ivan, f**k everything they are and what they stand for (including Ivan for mounting the Wests Tigers when the prick left).

Don’t you die wondering…not on your watch.

Now out there and you set this whole f**king forum ablaze with your support.

Every thread, you get out there and beat up the smug forumers being dickheads.

Every club forum, you gotta own it.
Two titles in 54 seasons for "Go Riff. For Cleary Snr. zero in almost twenty years of coaching. plus they have had two brutal highly physical contests they were lucky to get through. Brian Smith must be looking at Cleary Snr. and thinking "oh dear I know exactly how it feels for him"!! Very lucky against Parramatta and last week was their Grand Final beating Bellamy. It shows in their casualty ward!!
 

Steenson123

Juniors
Messages
508
I tend to think Wayne would have had this game worked out some time ago.

Some of the panther plays are constant, some are different.

You can make some predictions, but the team must be ready to adjust markedly from kick off. They should be agile and responsive in defence. Wayne will ensure that.

I think that would be part of his prep.

Ivan will have a lot up his sleeve and so will Wayne. Things we’ve never seen.

Cam Murray for CC. He has nothing short of a marquee outing every single game. Why other players attract immortal mutterings is irrational.

What’s hes going to do in a grand final is beyond imagination. He cannot comprehend having a factory game. He is a stranger to the ordinary.

Some of the smug fans labour under the grand delusion that Yeo is a better player. I just shake my head at this footy heresy. Its so biased it undermines everything they say.

There is no comparison.

I think Cody wants the cc too. It just comes naturally to a Burgess lol.

It’s your Clive Churchill Medal and the smugs want to steal it based on Ivans bad deeds.

They are not even worthy. The eels should have beat them but bad officials wrecked that.

They thieved their way in.

They now face justice.

Fire up lads.
101% correct. Parramatta deserve to be here more than "Go Riff. Parra were all over them and coming to axe them but were frauded out of it. Cleary Snr. well in twenty years of coaching has won zero. Surely he is another Brian Smith!!
 

martielang

Bench
Messages
3,385
The squad has several factors favouring a Victory. First the coaches. Cleary Snr. has the second longest quantum of games sans winning anything. The leader of that category? Brian Smith a perennial successful loser. In almost 20 years in NRL coaching Cleary Snr. has won zero despite being in I believe two Grand Finals and having won numerous regular season games. Second, "Go Riff" must be feeling bruised and battered as they have endured two slogging brutal physical contests that they were fortunate to survive. Third, we are 14-1 in our past 15 contests having a top 2 defense in that period and 22-4 on the season. That is outstanding and worthy of winning a Premiership. Fourth, we are 7-2 in our past 9 Grand Final appearances indicating that the club as a whole usually wins these end of the line contests. That is the impact of history and emotion but also because our squads are normally laden with class players. Yes Mitchell is a key absentee we all get that however there are still enough high quality players here to take care of their business and young Taaffe has emerged as a potential quality NRL starter. Finally, "Go Riff who entered in 1967 have won two titles in some 54 years i.e, one every 27 years a very weak strike rate. The squad is not facing their nemesis Voodoo Melbourne outfit and that should be enough to instill a high degree of confidence within, barring injury or accident.

Best thing about this whole post is when you mention you're 14 - 1 in the last 15... but surprisingly don't mention the loss is to the team you're actually playing who is also 22 - 4.

Anyway, good luck lads.
 

pantherz9103

First Grade
Messages
9,617
The squad has several factors favouring a Victory. First the coaches. Cleary Snr. has the second longest quantum of games sans winning anything. The leader of that category? Brian Smith a perennial successful loser. In almost 20 years in NRL coaching Cleary Snr. has won zero despite being in I believe two Grand Finals and having won numerous regular season games. Second, "Go Riff" must be feeling bruised and battered as they have endured two slogging brutal physical contests that they were fortunate to survive. Third, we are 14-1 in our past 15 contests having a top 2 defense in that period and 22-4 on the season. That is outstanding and worthy of winning a Premiership. Fourth, we are 7-2 in our past 9 Grand Final appearances indicating that the club as a whole usually wins these end of the line contests. That is the impact of history and emotion but also because our squads are normally laden with class players. Yes Mitchell is a key absentee we all get that however there are still enough high quality players here to take care of their business and young Taaffe has emerged as a potential quality NRL starter. Finally, "Go Riff who entered in 1967 have won two titles in some 54 years i.e, one every 27 years a very weak strike rate. The squad is not facing their nemesis Voodoo Melbourne outfit and that should be enough to instill a high degree of confidence within, barring injury or accident.
I'm not over confident by any means of a Penrith win, especially given our injuries and lack of points scored as well as last meeting with Souths but it's a bit funny talking about 2 titles in 54 years, without acknowledging that you've won just 1 comp since 1971. That said, I would probably be cheering for Souths to win another one if they weren't playing my team.
 

Ikonic

Juniors
Messages
94
BREAKING NEWS:
Late change to Panthers side for grand final in 2021:

1. D. Edwards
2. S. crichton
3. P. Momirovski
4. M. Burton
5. B. To’o
6. J. Luiai
7. N. Cleary
8. M. Leota
9. A. Koroisau
10. J. Fisher-Harris
11. V. Kikau
12. K. Capewell
13. I. Yeo
14. H. Knowles
15. G. Atkins

16. T. May
17. S. Sorensen
18. S. Leniu
19. L. Martin
Penrith will field 15 players in the Grand Finalè of 2021 to South Sydney’s traditional 13 as per the rules of bias by the NRL and pretty much every news outlet.
It is unknown whether Wayne Bennett knows this but will most likely be shut down by CEO Andrew Abdo as Penrith are the favourites to win the competition this year so he can suck it.

IF South Sydney do come out on top by the end of the 80 minutes (and less likely 90 minutes) the NRL will re-schedule the Grand Final as a re-match as the favourites from the foot of the mountains didn’t claim victory and Nathan Cleary wasn’t awarded the Clive Churchill medal.
More to come.
 

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