Panthers Match Thread

[BG]

The Dog must be trying to negotiate another contract, he's going well.

Doogs has been going far better this year than most give him credit for, but I could not rate that as one of his better games.

 

[Johns Magic]

Disappointed with Taufua, thought Wicks offered more, and I was the original Wicks bagger.

Sau's defensive reads were poor at times, he let in Waterhouse's second try and never looked a chance of getting him.

Taia was stoic, really stood up in Simmo/Bedsy/Cross's absence.

The time has well and truly come to get Bailey out of the halves. He's still the pony with the one trick.

 

[Serc]

Kurt playing hooker? How does he look?

Brilliant - he is certainly no Bedsy but he played hooker in attack, and fullback in defence, all hail rover!

 

[Johns Magic]

Kidley hogs it from dummy half when we're close to the tryline, that's my only complaint

 

[General Knight]

Gidley's fitness is just scary, watching him tonight gave me goosebumps. He is a freak. Although, I wonder how many years can he keep that level up.

I never seen us put so many kicks up in the air in the one game. That plus the combination of actually holding into the ball (cept for Wicks) and we looked like scoring plenty of tries.

 

[Serc]

Hmm yeah fair call...he did try the solo run a few too many times. Not that I'm complaining, still brilliant

 

[MC DUI]

Brilliant - he is certainly no Bedsy but he played hooker in attack, and fullback in defence, all hail rover!

Have to agree, close to the line I thought he missing two inside pass opportunities that would have been close to tries.

But he was still 5 times better than any other player.

Damn happy Smith realised we need him at fullback on D.

 

[Jono078]

I'll go through my thoughts as the game went on.

It started out with me being furious with the line-up, Houston to winger, WTF!?

Was happy to see White in though, I think he'd be the perfect benchie for us.

Ciraldo had his best game for us aswell IMO.

First half I was still furious, thought we were playing stupid as usual but somehow we we're still in the lead, then went into the break on level terms.

Oh and before moving onto the second half, how bone headed was MacDougall's first penalty! :x

Second half we still had some silly pens and all, but we were playing a bit smarter and didnt look as lost.

On individual performances.

Gidley had a mammoth game, best on park by a mile.

Taia worked really hard and led the way. Same with McManus from the back.

Most of the backs were good.

The Bailey/Mullen combo continues to be a failure IMO, when Dureau came on we got some spark and lifted our tempo which the Panthers couldn't handle.

Overall a mixed game I thought, but happy for once our effort was rewarded with 2 competition points.

 

[Hanscholo]

Taia was outstanding, Gidley, words fail me how a guy can play hooker and full back and be the best player on the field, remarkeable. Really nice to see a solid performance from COrey patterson too, no BS just a tough hard game from him.

 

[Yosh]

Need more White, he was collosal out there. Wicks I didnt think played all that badly. I could see him trying harder to get he ball more every set of 6, pity he dropped his 2nd ball this probalby let his confidence down a little. If he improves week by week I am cool for him staying. Fao'so is a mammoth, by far our best prop tonight.

McManus should of got a go infront of Quinn, Turner or even Hayne... Seriously what NSW needed... Doesnt matter sall good. Hopefully next week we see some:

1. Kids
2. McManus
3. Doogs
4. Sau
5. UATE

.... Hopefully

 

[aqua_duck]

I reckon White could be a mainstay in 1st grade next year, he's certainly big enough and throws his weight around, abit like a bigger, better version of Brendan Worth. The thing about Whitey is he looks about 37 but he's only 23 or 24 from memory and props usually take the longest to mature

 

[roopy]

The funniest thing i've seen all season was White mucking up a set move in NSW cup and Luke Walsh giving him heaps for about 30 metres as they ran down field - looked like a 14 year old rousing on his dad.

 

[antonius]

Well I thought Tolar and White were outstanding for us. We finally got some go forward with them, and we had some solid defence from them early on, not easy to do against a pack like Penriths.
Sorry but Wicks didn't do anything to make me change my opinion of him. Gidley was unbelievable. He'd be up in the attacking line, and next you saw of him was way back fielding a kick, as someone mentioned he is super fit.
Mullen has faded considerably playing at 7, Smith needs to forget the Bailey/Mullen combo (I know we won, but that wasn't a contributing factor) We look so much better with Dureau there, and that frees Mullen up. Considering the penalty count and the start we had you have to be pleased with the reiliance shown by the side.
I also thought Kidley was excellent at captain, it would be very easy for him to loose it when talking to the ref about some of those penalties.
Finally Kidley is superman.

 

[Pika]

I thought all our props were great apart from Wicks.

White was a machine. Tackled his heart out.

Dan was also very solid.

I dont know what game you were watching Johns Magic, but there was sting in every Tafua tackle. Considering he had similar game time to Wicks and did more hit ups, and double the tackles......

Faas was my man of the match after Gids. Offloads, meters and 30+ tackles from the bench.

 

[Johns Magic]

I dont know what game you were watching Johns Magic, but there was sting in every Tafua tackle. Considering he had similar game time to Wicks and did more hit ups, and double the tackles......

Where are you getting those stats from?

nrl.com has Wicks with 6 hitups for 64 metres compared to Taufua with 4 hitups for 39 metres. Taufua made by far the least metres of any of our props, in attack he was non-existent. If Wicks had made 39 metres you wouldn't hear the end of it on this forum.

Just the one missed tackle fom Wicks last night, a big improvement on recent weeks.

Wicks looked like he could bust the line when he ran, I'm yet to see that from Taufua. Thus far he hasn't looked threatening at all at this level in attack. 39 metres from a prop is just average.

 

[Pika]

They are both averaging around 10m a run based on your stats.

My stats are from those taken by the Knights last night.

Wicks made nine tackles and missed one and you are happy with that?

Tafua made first contact on 75% of his tackles and dominated 90%.

Wicks made first contact on zero tackles.

Oh, and of those glorious six hit ups.... he dropped one.

I would have Tafua anyday.

Edit: I am not having a go at you Johns Magic, just get frustrated when I work with Tolar, Royal, White, Faas and all the props. Week in they put 100% into not just my stuff but across the board.

Wicks is the poorest trainer, if he actually does train....his stats are dreadful, and he is in ahead White, Tafua and the like.

 

[antonius]

Wicks is a myth, he is nowhere near first grade standard.
White should've been in the side ahead of Wicks weeks ago. It's hard to believe Smith rates Wicks above Tolar and White.

 

[Johns Magic]

They are both averaging around 10m a run based on your stats.

My stats are from those taken by the Knights last night.

Wicks made nine tackles and missed one and you are happy with that?

Tafua made first contact on 75% of his tackles and dominated 90%.

Wicks made first contact on zero tackles.

Oh, and of those glorious six hit ups.... he dropped one.

I would have Tafua anyday.

I said Wicks had an improved performance and I thought he offered more than Taufua. I didn't say I was happy with his performance, but it's a start.

Wicks isn't there to be a defensive workhorse. As long as he's not missing tackles I think what he can offer with ball in hand compensates for his low defensive workload.

We've always known Taufua was a gun defender, but that wasn't seen enough of a reason to keep him in first-grade whilst his hitups were so ineffective. The word over the offseason was that he had dramatically improved that facet of his game, but again last night it was the same story. That's why I was disappointed.

In a fully fit side, I wouldn't pick Wicks or Taufua at the moment.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Well played guys. Excellent performance and fully deserved the victory.

 

[otori]

Best commentary call of the night: Voss: "Gidley has done everything tonight. When they get back into the dressing rooms, he'll probably clean them up before they get on the bus."
Gould:"He'll probably drive the bus as well."
:lol: