Our Finals Chances.

[franklin2323]

Yes we are actually. We've had 4 different halves combinations since Cleary debuted, 6 if you go back to round 1 last year with the most recent change being about a month old. We are right where we should be with such an inconsistent roster.

This is what people fail to realise. We have a young team changed plenty of guys around even our depth is young stupidly. A fit Bryce and JFH would of seen us win more games too so here we are.

 

[OldPanther]

Yep... and all those teams above us have had issues too.

We have had a much better season as far as team changes go this year. Yet we have performed worse.

Moylan, Blake, Peachey, DWZ, Cleary, Tamou, RCG, Yeo, Latu and Merrin had all played 90% of games if not all of them up until now.

Edwards and CHN have played less than they should of because the coach was indecisive.

Kikau, Akauolo, Leota and Browne have all been in and out of the team because the coach was indecisive.

Weve had a few injuries that effected us. But the biggest ones were Mansour who we knew was out late last year and Cartwright who was never allowed to develop in one position anyway. Wallace is arguably not a loss with Rein available and JFH being out allowed CHN to cement a spot.

Outside of Mansour, every injury has helped force the coaches hand into a better move he never would have made.

Even the recent Merrin injury could finally force Carty into his best position and ultimately force Browne out

I stand by what I said. People seem to think blaming the coach changes that our team has been inconsistent. It's his fault to a large degree and it has effected our season. We don't have any champion players like Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to cover. We have a 19 year old who's doing better than most would.

 

[betcats]

I stand by what I said. People seem to think blaming the coach changes that our team has been inconsistent. It's his fault to a large degree and it has effected our season. We don't have any champion players like Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to cover. We have a 19 year old who's doing better than most would.

You don't need a Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to be a consistent footy side. You need a good coach.

 

[franklin2323]

I stand by what I said. People seem to think blaming the coach changes that our team has been inconsistent. It's his fault to a large degree and it has effected our season. We don't have any champion players like Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to cover. We have a 19 year old who's doing better than most would.

It is why Gus should go too. We should of had backup plans in our squad too. When TMM fell away. We were left with a backrower in Cartwright. An untried half in Moylan, moving an aging Wallace or a rookie. All of this to join a 19yo 2nd year halfback.

Sure the coach is a hack but the squad has many many holes in it. Which others should be held accountable for

 

[betcats]

What holes are their in the squad? You cant really say we lack depth because our NSW cup and NYC sides are both killing it. We've got a very good forward pack, exciting, fast and big outside backs and a pretty good spine, its a top four squad easily.

 

[OldPanther]

You don't need a Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to be a consistent footy side. You need a good coach.

Any team can be consistent with a good coach, you need a player who can do what they do to handle the disruptions with the roster at this level. Moylan moving increased our winning % and I believe an earlier move would have us in the 8 by now. That's on the coach yes but it still means we are where we are meant to be. If we keep this spine long term we will be laughing at every other team by this point next year in my opinion.

 

[betcats]

Any team can be consistent with a good coach, you need a player who can do what they do to handle the disruptions with the roster at this level. Moylan moving increased our winning % and I believe an earlier move would have us in the 8 by now. That's on the coach yes but it still means we are where we are meant to be. If we keep this spine long term we will be laughing at every other team by this point next year in my opinion.

Yeah I agree, I guess im just frustrated, there is so much potential here its just need to be unlocked.

 

[OldPanther]

Yeah I agree, I guess im just frustrated, there is so much potential here its just need to be unlocked.

I know the feeling. It must be common among Panthers fans.

 

[franklin2323]

What holes are their in the squad? You cant really say we lack depth because our NSW cup and NYC sides are both killing it. We've got a very good forward pack, exciting, fast and big outside backs and a pretty good spine, its a top four squad easily.

We all know DWZ was 'attacked' Sat morning. Say he was hurt and couldn't play. Who would of played wing? We have promising players all over the park. How many are actually proven FGers though? Tamou/Browne's money would of been better with an old head half for example.

 

[franklin2323]

Any team can be consistent with a good coach, you need a player who can do what they do to handle the disruptions with the roster at this level. Moylan moving increased our winning % and I believe an earlier move would have us in the 8 by now. That's on the coach yes but it still means we are where we are meant to be. If we keep this spine long term we will be laughing at every other team by this point next year in my opinion.

Again though. Edwards less than 10 games. Moylan same as a half. Cleary still eligible for NYC. Look at the top 4 teams in those Positions there is a reason why the ladder is what it is

 

[betcats]

We all know DWZ was 'attacked' Sat morning. Say he was hurt and couldn't play. Who would of played wing? We have promising players all over the park. How many are actually proven FGers though? Tamou/Browne's money would of been better with an old head half for example.

Oh its not perfect, I'd change a couple decisions if I could but I don't think there arent many holes. The wing is just about the only place I cant see a clear standout back up player, Sivo is doing well, Crichton might be able to do a job or maybe you bring in Jed to the centres and puish waqa out.

The depth we have had prior to this season was never going to be maintained once we started bringing in guys on large contracts like Merrin and Tamou as well as upgrading guys to proper rep tier contracts like Moylan and Mansour, most of the young brigade has been given extensions and upgrades as well.

 

[Fangs]

Should never, ever have gotten to this stage.

Says it all.

I sense all we be forgiven when we make the finals. Even if we do go straight out the back door. Its been a very disappointing year so far.

 

[OldPanther]

I'm starting to think this year was necessary. Griffin needed some hard lessons of his own and we had the perfect coincidence of injuries/off field shenanigans to force his hand into forming the best squad we could have. We are now 7 from 9 Vs 2 from 10 or whatever it was. We are now the contender we should have been IF they don't go back on the changes.

 

[TheFrog]

We all know DWZ was 'attacked' Sat morning. Say he was hurt and couldn't play. Who would of played wing?

If they wouldn't give us permission to bring in someone from outside the chosen squad, it would have been a huge reshuffle to put Yeo in the centres and Blake on the wing. Or May (who was in the 21) to 6, Moylan to 1 and Edwards to the wing.

 

[OldPanther]

If they wouldn't give us permission to bring in someone from outside the chosen squad, it would have been a huge reshuffle to put Yeo in the centres and Blake on the wing. Or May (who was in the 21) to 6, Moylan to 1 and Edwards to the wing.

I have no doubt the NRL would allow it under those kind of circumstances.

 

[Pomoz]

You don't need a Morgan/Maloney/Cronk to be a consistent footy side. You need a good coach.

That is just wrong. The best coach in the history of mankind cannot make a predominately young team consistent. He can improve them, I agree, but the successful teams have a much higher average age than we do. There is a reason for that. Experience helps with consistency, maturity helps with the bodies ability to cope with the physical hammering. Griffin has his faults but your statement ignores all the available data on just about any team sport you care to name.

I think Griffin can coach better, but we still need our players to get a bit more experience before we will get more consistent.

 

[Pomoz]

It is why Gus should go too. We should of had backup plans in our squad too. When TMM fell away. We were left with a backrower in Cartwright. An untried half in Moylan, moving an aging Wallace or a rookie. All of this to join a 19yo 2nd year halfback.

Sure the coach is a hack but the squad has many many holes in it. Which others should be held accountable for

Ok, who should he have signed?

 

[betcats]

That is just wrong. The best coach in the history of mankind cannot make a predominately young team consistent. He can improve them, I agree, but the successful teams have a much higher average age than we do. There is a reason for that. Experience helps with consistency, maturity helps with the bodies ability to cope with the physical hammering. Griffin has his faults but your statement ignores all the available data on just about any team sport you care to name.

I think Griffin can coach better, but we still need our players to get a bit more experience before we will get more consistent.

That's all well and good mate but I disagree, we were younger and more consistent last season. We are literally a worse team this year with a better, older squad. We added age and experience and got worse, putting all our troubles down to us being young isn't having a real look at the issues.

 

[franklin2323]

If they wouldn't give us permission to bring in someone from outside the chosen squad, it would have been a huge reshuffle to put Yeo in the centres and Blake on the wing. Or May (who was in the 21) to 6, Moylan to 1 and Edwards to the wing.

Those cases. They would of given it happened after the squad was picked. No back in that NSW Cup team is FG ready

 

[betcats]

Those cases. They would of given it happened after the squad was picked. No back in that NSW Cup team is FG ready

You cant just stockpile FG ready and tested players in your reserve grade side.