Injury update

[Copperhead]

Caleb Aekins in the centres, Jerome Luai at fullback.

Why would we be doing that? Whare and Blake don't have any problems.........do they?

 

[CCJohnC]

I prefer, is to leave Luai and May in the halves, leave Whare and Blake in the centres, and play Aekins at fullback.

100% Correct

 

[jane the pain]

Debuting Aekins out of his normal position (in the centres where is going to have to do a lot of defensive decision making) wouldn't be a good idea imho. Luai also has not played FB in a long time.

I respectfully disagree.

 

[jane the pain]

Why would we be doing that? Whare and Blake don't have any problems.........do they?

No. Just a option.

 

[tripster]

I respectfully disagree.

Take a look at his profile on the Panthers website

https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/...ip-nsw/penrith-panthers-nsw-cup/caleb-aekins/

He has played the entire season at fullback, with the exception of one game on the wing. He also isn't a particularly large guy by modern NRL standards. He has also not made many tackles all year (64 tackles all season, and has missed 15) in 14 games.

To debut him in the centres, where he is going to have to make difficult defensive decisions and pull off a lot of one on one tackles just makes absolutely no sense.

We would be far better off leaving our centres as they are, and debuting him at fullback. It will be a position he is familiar with, and cause the least disruption to the team.

I just don't understand why you think why debuting him in the centres makes any sense at all. What is the rationale?

 

[TheFrog]

Never mind, DWZ injury posted already.

 

[Fangs]

Blessing in disguise?

If Luai or Aitkens impress at fullback then DWZ returns to the along with Mansour. Not so bad.

 

[TheFrog]

Assuming we do rest all the origin players, if Whare goes to fullback, you could keep Luai and May in the halves, but would have to put someone else in the centres (Yeo or CHN perhaps?). Another option, and the one I prefer, is to leave Luai and May in the halves, leave Whare and Blake in the centres, and play Aekins at fullback.

Against the Broncos, with all the origin players back, I assume Whare will go to fullback and Peach into the centres, with May and Luai dropping out of the side.

I don't think Hook will plan to have a different fullback for different games. Whoever is fullback will be tested under high balls. I think he'll go for Whare with Peach at centre. Peach is unlikely to play big minutes on Wednesday. I also think we should have a recognised goal kicker, so play Cleary and rest Maloney would be my initial plan, with May at 6.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I don't think Hook will plan to have a different fullback for different games. Whoever is fullback will be tested under high balls. I think he'll go for Whare with Peach at centre. Peach is unlikely to play big minutes on Wednesday. I also think we should have a recognised goal kicker, so play Cleary and rest Maloney would be my initial plan, with May at 6.

No way for Whare he is horrible at fullback.

 

[TheFrog]

No way for Whare he is horrible at fullback.

I think Luai or Aekins would be a huge risk and would be targeted. Anyway this is what I expect the coach to do so we'll see.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I think Luai or Aekins would be a huge risk and would be targeted. Anyway this is what I expect the coach to do so we'll see.

He may bring Cleary in at 7 give the old boy Jimmy a rest and Luai at F/B Time will tell I suppose. Sadly I think salary cap may decide who plays at F/B. Whare would be like when Anasta played at F/B for the chooks. a nightmare.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Good news just checked the Panthers top 30 and Atkins is player no 30. So if played he doesn't impact salary cap.

 

[OldPanther]

Sharks:

1. Aekins
6. May
7. Luai

Broncos and to finish the year:

1. Luai
6. Maloney
7. Cleary

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Sharks:

1. Aekins
6. May
7. Luai

Broncos and to finish the year:

1. Luai
6. Maloney
7. Cleary

? You're point is lost on me

 

[Matthew Ellis]

? You're point is lost on me

I believe it's we can't afford to play such a small guy like Luai at fb when Sauce gets back. Aekins isn't massive but he won't get pushed back unless a lot are in the tackle similar to Edwards. Luai would have to be one of the smallest guys playing that week we play him.

 

[Abacus]

Aekins in at FB. Watching the reserves yesterday, he was fairly quiet. Perhaps he'd already been tipped re DWZ's injury and FG debut next week.

 

[OldPanther]

? You're point is lost on me

It's this.

I believe it's we can afford to play such a small guy like Luai at fb when Sauce gets back. Aekins isn't massive but he won't get pushed back unless a lot are in the tackle similar to Edwards. Luai would have to be one of the smallest guys playing that week is we play him.

Spot on. Play Luai when Sauce is back and in a few weeks we'll have our 2 best wingers back who can take those necessary hard runs while Luai can play the ultimate attacking fullback. For the Sharks game Aekins can have a go since he's in our top 30 and playing well for a bit of experience.

 

[unKwn]

Sharks:
1. Aekins
2. Crichton
3. Waqa the wonderful
4. Whare
5. Phillips
6. May
7. Luai
........

Broncos:
1. Luai/Aekins
2. Mansour
3. Waqa the brilliant
4. Whare
5. Phillips
6. Maloney
7. Cleary
.........

 

[franklin2323]

Sharks:

1. Aekins
6. May
7. Luai

Broncos and to finish the year:

1. Luai
6. Maloney
7. Cleary

Perfect. We could move Whare back but long term much better getting someone more experience. Might need him come finals

 

[Whino]

Just lost DWZ for three weeks.

Hamstring tear.

That sucks.