Lower Grades 2025

[Copperhead]

Getting thumped by the 11th placed North Sydney Bears at HT 22-6.

Showing a bit of spirit at least. Bears up 26 - 24

 

[Kilkenny]

26-6 after 62 minutes, 3 converted tries in 7 minutes got us back to 26-24 with 11 to go. We had chances to steal it, Bears were out on there feet, but we just couldn’t nail one. A better last 18 minutes, doesn’t make things good, disappointing loss and while no lack of effort, I just didn’t see enough from the players who should be putting pressure for NRL selection.

 

[Iamback]

A very weakened Panthers side put in against the comp favourites... we have plenty of depth time to use it

 

[WestyLife]

26-6 after 62 minutes, 3 converted tries in 7 minutes got us back to 26-24 with 11 to go. We had chances to steal it, Bears were out on there feet, but we just couldn’t nail one. A better last 18 minutes, doesn’t make things good, disappointing loss and while no lack of effort, I just didn’t see enough from the players who should be putting pressure for NRL selection.

Not accounting for players out is a bit dishonest.

 

[Black Panther]

Tyler Bunting and Zach Lamont were the halves today, hardly our strongest team due to players floating up and down. We got beat in Flegg too, same story there.

 

[Kilkenny]

Not accounting for players out is a bit dishonest.

The point I make is simply those from our NRL squad such as Kepaoa, Jesse McLean, Geyer, Patea and Riki didn’t do enough to warrant being promoted. Fans are calling for players to be dropped but options to replace them are not exactly demanding selection based on there form. The centres today in David Fale and Sam Lane are not viable alternatives to Tago. The only options in dropping Tago would be Jenkins, Alamoti, McLean, Kepaoa/Laurie. Maybe Garner in the centres, far from ideal and Jack Cole is not a centre and out this week anyway.

As far as being dishonest, i just try and provide information about our lower grades and junior for those who may be interested.

 

[Chins]

The point I make is simply those from our NRL squad such as Kepaoa, Jesse McLean, Geyer, Patea and Riki didn’t do enough to warrant being promoted. Fans are calling for players to be dropped but options to replace them are not exactly demanding selection based on there form. The centres today in David Fale and Sam Lane are not viable alternatives to Tago. The only options in dropping Tago would be Jenkins, Alamoti, McLean, Kepaoa/Laurie. Maybe Garner in the centres, far from ideal and Jack Cole is not a centre and out this week anyway.

As far as being dishonest, i just try and provide information about our lower grades and junior for those who may be interested.

Tago is the worst defensive centre in the NRL. I'd even rather the old Ivan who'd just pick random backrowers in the centres

 

[Kilkenny]

The previously undefeated Jersey Flegg were beaten as well, i should point out they were undermanned.

 

[Kilkenny]

Does anyone know the status of John Sagaga, is he injured. Featured in pre season but not seen since?

 

[IcemanCleary]

Does anyone know the status of John Sagaga, is he injured. Featured in pre season but not seen since?

Same with Austin Dias, what's happened to him?

 

[Iamback]

Tyler Bunting and Zach Lamont were the halves today, hardly our strongest team due to players floating up and down. We got beat in Flegg too, same story there.

Correct.

Plenty of good signs considering, huge games from the back 3 and the middles were good

 

[Iamback]

Not accounting for players out is a bit dishonest.

We had guys missing. The spine was Jersey Flegg guys. Sommerton was held out too, Likely to replace Kenny.

The Bears scored 5 tries

The 1st - we were attacking their line. Put in a cross field kick we batted it back went to them. 90m try

2nd was a decent scrum move

3rd was them attacking our line ball comes out. One of those 50/50 ones that sometimes is called knock on. It was play on. We went to pick it up and lost it. They dived on it over the line.

4th was fairly soft up the middle when we are defending with 12 men

There last try. No idea what happened they dropped it and a few kicks and they score a scrappy try.

So despite having a weakened team it wasn't like we had holes in the defensive line or anything like that.

Had no issue getting field position just the Flegg halves couldn't do anything with it but as is the case down here. They would of trained with Blaize/Sommerton in the spine so that is to be expected

 

[WestyLife]

The point I make is simply those from our NRL squad such as Kepaoa, Jesse McLean, Geyer, Patea and Riki didn’t do enough to warrant being promoted. Fans are calling for players to be dropped but options to replace them are not exactly demanding selection based on there form. The centres today in David Fale and Sam Lane are not viable alternatives to Tago. The only options in dropping Tago would be Jenkins, Alamoti, McLean, Kepaoa/Laurie. Maybe Garner in the centres, far from ideal and Jack Cole is not a centre and out this week anyway.

As far as being dishonest, i just try and provide information about our lower grades and junior for those who may be interested.

Dishonest might be a bit strong but it does make a difference to outside backs when your spine is a mess. They were missing a half and hooker. Before those players were out both flegg and cup were on a run of wins with those same outside backs looking pretty good.

 

[WestyLife]

We had guys missing. The spine was Jersey Flegg guys. Sommerton was held out too, Likely to replace Kenny.

The Bears scored 5 tries

The 1st - we were attacking their line. Put in a cross field kick we batted it back went to them. 90m try

2nd was a decent scrum move

3rd was them attacking our line ball comes out. One of those 50/50 ones that sometimes is called knock on. It was play on. We went to pick it up and lost it. They dived on it over the line.

4th was fairly soft up the middle when we are defending with 12 men

There last try. No idea what happened they dropped it and a few kicks and they score a scrappy try.

So despite having a weakened team it wasn't like we had holes in the defensive line or anything like that.

Had no issue getting field position just the Flegg halves couldn't do anything with it but as is the case down here. They would of trained with Blaize/Sommerton in the spine so that is to be expected

Sounds like my other last comment then. Panthers built the dynasty on the team being a well oiled machine working as a unit. You can't blame players individually when that machine is in pieces. It's why I'm a little more moderate than chins on the tago thing. He needs sorting but was good in finals so give him a week and then get some consistency in the roster and build for finals. Both Luke and chins are right but they are talking past each other a little.

 

[Iamback]

Sounds like my other last comment then. Panthers built the dynasty on the team being a well oiled machine working as a unit. You can't blame players individually when that machine is in pieces. It's why I'm a little more moderate than chins on the tago thing. He needs sorting but was good in finals so give him a week and then get some consistency in the roster and build for finals. Both Luke and chins are right but they are talking past each other a little.

My take on it is how long do you wait to change? Something isn't working and the season is slipping away.

Cleary and Martin will be picked for NSW and there won't be these issues. So the issue isn't there

Last year Turuva spent 3-4 games as 18th man. To try and fix the issue - Was Ivan wrong to single out a player? If the system comment is true?

Also though it was just after Laurie had a good run of form and to reward that.

We have Blaize who was pretty good in his only appearance not in the side. Also have a winger who is topping several categories in NSW Cup who should be rewarded for his form.

So you put those 2 things together and that is why I am in the give Tago a spell camp

 

[WestyLife]

My take on it is how long do you wait to change? Something isn't working and the season is slipping away.

Cleary and Martin will be picked for NSW and there won't be these issues. So the issue isn't there

Last year Turuva spent 3-4 games as 18th man. To try and fix the issue - Was Ivan wrong to single out a player? If the system comment is true?

Also though it was just after Laurie had a good run of form and to reward that.

We have Blaize who was pretty good in his only appearance not in the side. Also have a winger who is topping several categories in NSW Cup who should be rewarded for his form.

So you put those 2 things together and that is why I am in the give Tago a spell camp

They definitely have to try something. He's had issues for a long time. Luke is right that the team needs consistency but it's early in the season so they've got got to work it out and make a run for finals.