Melbourne Game Thursday 15 August at 7.50 pm

[martielang]

Kepaoa not even on extended bench. Strange.

 

[Iamback]

Kepaoa not even on extended bench. Strange.

Unless Cole is going to do that role

 

[Fangs]

Surprising bench. Extended options feature big names but no backrow cover.

We do have excess middles. Fish and Yeo haven't played backrow in years though. That leaves Tago as the only other option after that anyone's guess.

Can't Melbourne be sporting and loan us Blore for a week?

 

[Iamback]

Surprising bench. Extended options feature big names but no backrow cover.

We do have excess middles. Fish and Yeo haven't played backrow in years though. That leaves Tago as the only other option after that anyone's guess.

Can't Melbourne be sporting and loan us Blore for a week?

Ivan being defensive. I expect this is the pack

Fish
Kenny
Leota
Smith
Henry
Yeo

Tolelau
Eisenhuth
Patea
Mav

I hope Cole stays in so we run some different setups in attack

 

[Fangs]

Ivan being defensive. I expect this is the pack

Fish
Kenny
Leota
Smith
Henry
Yeo

Tolelau
Eisenhuth
Patea
Mav

I hope Cole stays in so we run some different setups in attack

No matter who goes there it's a target. They are either green like Geyer, slow like our props or makeshift like Cole/Toelau/Laurie etc. Hughes and Papenhuyzen have the speed and guile to exploit it.

It's a game for Cleary and his boot. Keep the Storm in a corner as much as possible.

 

[Stinkfinger]

He definitely did. no way we could defend what he did it was textbook.

Maybe could have gone for a downgrade to grade 1 but we need him the following week so better he be right for that.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Not fussed about this game, we can win it in October.. that bench though

 

[Murraymob1]

H

Maybe could have gone for a downgrade to grade 1 but we need him the following week so better he be right for that.

He would lose any appeal it was clear contact

 

[Murraymob1]

What is everyone’s feel Edwards JFH will they play

 

[PennyPanthers81]

I think they play.

 

[Fangs]

Not fussed about this game, we can win it in October.. that bench though

Lets win this and rest a good chunk of players next week for the Raiders trip. Not worth it IMO.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Lets win this and rest a good chunk of players next week for the Raiders trip. Not worth it IMO.

As long as we don't show too many cards and no one gets injured. Raiders aren't pushovers either.

 

[Fangs]

As long as we don't show too many cards and no one gets injured. Raiders aren't pushovers either.

Agreed.

Raiders are an alright squad. I just think the road trip is a bad one at this time of year. I'd rather we rest a couple key players and have them return for the final two rounds of the competition. The Raiders have a similar problem, they are in Townsville this week in a must win game. They'll go hard out next week as they want an 8 position.

Losing this Storm game might change things though.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Tago will play in the second row this week with Asu Kepaoa at centre.

Holy f**k a change! I don't believe it

 

[age.s]

Fish playing is the only way that bench makes sense.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Agreed.

Raiders are an alright squad. I just think the road trip is a bad one at this time of year. I'd rather we rest a couple key players and have them return for the final two rounds of the competition. The Raiders have a similar problem, they are in Townsville this week in a must win game. They'll go hard out next week as they want an 8 position.

Losing this Storm game might change things though.

Yep, it is a harder obstacle this year and injury free for the rest of the season would be key. If they can do it and win the GF, it would be the best one yet

 

[WestyLife]

Holy f**k a change! I don't believe it

I wish but I was taking the piss because this place had gone quiet.

 

[Chins get the wins]

I wish but I was taking the piss because this place had gone quiet.

You evil merkin haha

 

[Murraymob1]

You evil merkin haha

Yep you coped that chin lol

 

[Scootsie]

Unfortunately the draw is set long before the game arrives.
I’m not sure it’ll live up to expectations as an early final, but the game is the battle for top of the ladder and could possibly decide the Minor Premiership.
Good luck to the fans who can attend, but Panther’s 5/8 Luai might have to remind them they‘ve got to go to work the next day (well I’m sure one or two Panthers fans must have some kind of job).