Match Discussion: Finals Week 1 vs Panthers @ Panthers Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2020 - Finals Week 1
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
Panthers Stadium, Penrith
Friday 2 October 2020

Kickoff 7:50pm - Nine / Fox

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Brent Naden 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Tyrone May 15. Kurt Capewell 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dean Whare 20. Matt Burton 21. Spencer Leniu

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Angus Crichton 17. Sonny Bill Williams 18. Nat Butcher 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Matt Ikuvalu

Referees: Gerard Sutton
Sideline Officials: Chris Butler, Todd Smith
Video Referees: Steve Chiddy

​

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Oh well, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow Roosters fans, tragics and supporters. We now play Penrith at the foot of the mountains this coming Friday night.

I think we can bounce back in style and hopefully get them well. It will be their greatest test this season so far, without a shadow of a doubt. The sooner we get back to playing and put that debacle on Friday night behind us, the better as far as I am concerned. Looking forward to that very much.

Easts to win!

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Match preview - need to know:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/27/need-to-know--finals-week-one/

Recovery update - Jake will not play, with Sitili in doubt IMO:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/28/bauerfeind-recovery-update--round-20/

Finals hub (Week 1):

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/29/finals-hub--nrl--nrlw-week-one/

Panthers squad:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/29/panthers-squad--qualifying-final/

Team announcement:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/29/nrl-team-announcement--qualifying-final/

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

The NRL match information page:

https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2020/finals-week-1/panthers-v-roosters/

Initial match preview:

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/28/panthers-v-roosters-too-on-track-hia-hurdles-for-friend-tupouniua/

At the moment, according to the NRL page, they are $1.74 favourites, while we are $2.10. I am pleased and do believe that this is appropriate. Hopefully, this will work in our favour.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

The winner of this wins the comp IMO. If we lose however, I think we can put our feet up for the rest of the finals and support whoever plays Souths. For me, this game just feels like a do or die scenario for us. Roosters by 6.

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Clash of the sevens - Keary praises Flanagan's character:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/30/clash-of-the-sevens--keary-praises-flanagans-character/

Game day at Easts Leagues Club:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/30/game-day-at-easts-leagues-club/

Memorable clash - Panthers in 2017:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/09/30/memorable-clash-panthers-2017/

Coach media with Robbo:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/10/01/the-belief-is-high--trent-robinson/

Match preview:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/10/01/match-preview--panthers-v-roosters/

Combination and connection:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/10/01/combination-and-connection--roosters-set-for-panthers-showdown/

Squad update:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/10/01/squad-update--qualifying-final/

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Roosters absorb lessons from Rabbitohs loss:

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/01/roosters-absorb-lessons-from-rabbitohs-loss/

(Updated) match preview:

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/28/panthers-v-roosters-too-on-track-hia-hurdles-for-friend-tupouniua/

Match preview (video):

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/30/panthers-v-roosters---quarter-finals/

I see that Penrith have firmed to $1.71 and we have drifted slightly to $2.15 (presumably on the back of the SBW news).

Nevertheless, I see this as potentially a do or die scenario for us tonight. The equation is simple - win, and we can enjoy a much needed week off, and sit back and watch other teams knock themselves silly; lose - and we could be up against it.

After what seems an eternity this week after that debacle last Friday, it is finally game day ladies and gentlemen. Fire up you mighty Roosters, fire up! Let's show these youngins from the foot of the Blue Mountains what it means to play in the big time. Easts by 6.

 

[Mr Spock!]

Young lussick was a weak link in defence. You looked much better with Aubo at hooker.

 

[taste2taste]

You could see how much Robbo wanted the win to get the week off. Only 1 team has ever lost week 1 and gone on to win the comp.

Although, if Robbo wanted the week off so badly I wonder why he didn't rest players in the final round dead rubber ?

 

[Mr Spock!]

Penrith's second try was bs.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Young lussick was a weak link in defence. You looked much better with Aubo at hooker.

Very true. People forget that the hooker is usually defending the centre of the ruck, and Friend does that perfectly, as well as a lot of clean up work too.

Even though I may not always agree with him, Andrew Johns said Friend being out is what convinced him to change his tip from us to Penrith by 4 points as he reckons Jake's presence is worth 8 points to us in points saved.

Frankly I think the team looks tired and we're cooked for this year

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Sadly, you were right Captain.

Very disappointing. Let's hope that the team can rest, regroup and get their hunger and mojo back during this off season.