NRL Finals 2022

[SpaceMonkey]

That first half grand final hoodoo turning into a huge ape on Parra’s back.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

It’s likely to be a wet one so I don’t see Penrith running up a big score. 26-12 panthers

Damn, was close

 

[Blair]

Damn, was close

That penalty to make it 12-0 killed you! But then I think Penrith were worthy of scoring 42 points also.

 

[JJ]

Not a bad effort back on page 17

JJ 2 points off the correct score, Blair picked the first try scorer and I got the Churchill

Team effort

 

[SpaceMonkey]

That penalty to make it 12-0 killed you! But then I think Penrith were worthy of scoring 42 points also.

Yeah the game didn’t play out like I thought it would but Parra managed to flatter themselves with the consolation tries after Penrith went into party mode

 

[Rich102]

Did we sack him or just not offer him a good enough deal? I seem to remember we only offered one year and he wanted more. Still, the biggest f**k up in club history.

Closely followed by getting rid of Gus. He, after all, set up the Panthers succession run. What a record winners. Winners of every men's competition in 2022. Going to be hard to compete against.

 

[JJ]

Losing Api will be a big adjustment for them, he is such quality - but they have sound replacements, a terrific squad and you'd think their halves will get better - that first half was next level, so clinical. I see a lot of bitchiness about them, I am biased but I don't see the same cynicism in their play as I did with the Storm, not the salary cheating of the Storm (actual) and innovation of the Roosters...

I thought in 91 they were heading this way, then tragedy undid them - and the Gould, Alexander, Geyer, Cartwright, Fittler Carter, et al would be dynasty didn't eventuate - Gould came back and now we have a Gould, Cleary, Luai, Yeo, Crichton et al dynasty - pretty dominant club at every male level atm

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Closely followed by getting rid of Gus. He, after all, set up the Panthers succession run. What a record winners. Winners of every men's competition in 2022. Going to be hard to compete against.

Did we get rid of Gus? It wasn't spun that way, but who knows what actually went on. The way it was reported was that his role became untenable due to Covid restrictions.

 

[Blair]

Did we sack him or just not offer him a good enough deal? I seem to remember we only offered one year and he wanted more. Still, the biggest f**k up in club history.

Penrith aren't immune from stupidity either, remember they sacked Ivan too. But when the opportunity came to hire him back they jumped at it. Us? We passed his second-coming over in favour of Kearney (I recall).

 

[Blair]

Did we get rid of Gus? It wasn't spun that way, but who knows what actually went on. The way it was reported was that his role became untenable due to Covid restrictions.

Possibly unteneble too because of alpha-male restrictions.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Possibly unteneble too because of alpha-male restrictions.

Yeah hence my "who knows" comment. No doubt it'll come out one day from someone who has left the organisation.

 

[JJ]

the the alpha male bullshit wasn't an issue for Gould, it was just a matter of time - sadly he'd have been the guy to have as our alpha male for a few years (given it seems this alpha make schtick is something central to Warriors culture)

 

[Penrose_11]

I am liking the fact that our ‘alpha male’ has stayed outa media for last 5-6 weeks tho. Long may it last

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Penrith aren't immune from stupidity either, remember they sacked Ivan too. But when the opportunity came to hire him back they jumped at it. Us? We passed his second-coming over in favour of Kearney (I recall).

Yep, we did. Ivan was ready to come back when we signed Kearney, and from memory was quoted as saying so. In 2011 there was an argument for not re-signing Ivan, as we were on the edge of the eight, had been poor in 2009 (for good reasons) and bog average in 2010. But when we signed Kearney over him, it was a clear sign that Watson had an agenda that continues to f**k us to this day.

 

[Izz]

In 2011 there was an argument for not re-signing Ivan, as we were on the edge of the eight, had been poor in 2009 (for good reasons) and bog average in 2010.

We finished 5th in 2010...

 

[Penrose Warrior]

We finished 5th in 2010...

Bog average is the wrong word, but the feeling around that season wasn't one of massive acclaim, either. We weren't in the 8 for around half the year, then got dominated in the first week of the finals and dropped out because 6th and 7th won. Back then we were spoiled, and that season felt like a letdown after 07/08. Then in round 17 next year, we weren't in the 8 again and I remember there was a feeling like we were going nowhere.

So as I said, there was certainly an argument for not re-signing Ivan, but only if you had something better lined up. Not Bluey McClennan with a total of zero NRL games coached.

 

[Izz]

Ole Bluey, the man the legend

 

[Blair]

Bog average is the wrong word, but the feeling around that season wasn't one of massive acclaim, either. We weren't in the 8 for around half the year, then got dominated in the first week of the finals and dropped out because 6th and 7th won...

What a memory, Ivan was seconds away from texting the team, 'see you Monday at training!', when the hapless Tigers blew that defensive scrum and let Easts steal it at the death.

There's a real character in town, an 80+ Eels fan, who gets around, through thick and thin, in full Eels get-up. He looks like he's ready to take the field, and more.

Yesterday, in the supermarket check-out line at work, he was discussing the GF and after complaining that the Panthers had '90% of possession with untold six-agains' he then proclaimed in a big loud voice for everyone to hear, 'and Nathan Cleary f***ed the ref after the game'. What a crack-up, even little old ladies laughed.

Truth is, my deep, trusty Eels source, who also came in yesterday, said the Eels 'just weren't good enough' and that they're 'looking for a clean-out' as they have 'too many slow players'. I found that interesting.