Panthers officially announce Griffin as coach

[Dazzat]

I would put up an argument for Wallace.

Wallace's game deteriorated under Griffin. Let's remember that Wallace was picked in State of Origin, and each year his game got worse and worse. He was and is a very courageous player, and under the right coach I reckon he would have at least maintained his good early form.

If you're telling me that Norman would NOT have been a better option than an entire year of Hoffman/Barba at 5/8 ... well ...

Norman was earmarked to take Lockyer's place for years. But what did Griffin do? Brought in Scott Prince which effectively threw he team into disarray. Wallace had one year to spring a combination with Prince. Norman didn't know if he was a 5/8 or a fullback. Hunt didn't know if he was a No. 9 or a No. 7.

Baptist and Granville moved on at the same time why? Griffin was playing McCullough for 80 or 75 minutes, and despite players like Granville making breaks and scoring tries in their five minutes on, Griffin continued with 80 minutes for McCullough.

The fact that we're discussing this just shows the chaos that reigned under Griffin - and Penrith fans shouldn't be bewitches by Gould to believe Griffin is the answer.

 

[Raiders_Premiers]

Aaaaand that's it for the Panthers, think you can officially stick a fork in 'em for the next couple of years.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I think we know this is all going to end up badly. I'd wish this on other clubs but not Penrith.

Whatever that disease Gould had that changed his hair colour has obviously seeped into his brain.

 

[Pennies]

Whatever that disease Gould had that changed his hair colour has obviously seeped into his brain.

:lol:

I like that one.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

And what happened to Brennan, thought he was the next big thing Gus?

Scary thing is, Rothfield was right all along. The 5 year plan is f**ked and Gus is an idiot.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Griffin hasn't given Soward any guarantees that he'll be in the side next year.

So when Wallace snatches it and leaves the club again, Penrith will lose both their starting halves. It's hard to believe that the club is going through this much change after ONE bad season because of injury. I guess it goes to show how much knee jerk reactionary bullshit dominates our game and even people like Gould aren't immune.

If you're telling me that Norman would NOT have been a better option than an entire year of Hoffman/Barba at 5/8 ... well ...

When it was announced that Norman was leaving the club, I haven't ever been happier to hear it about a player. He is a tool. As for the comparison to Barba and Hoffman, I wouldn't have played them at 5/8th either, that's why Griffin is an idiot. I would have sooner moved Hodges to 5/8th for the year.

Either way it would've been a band aid solution until Milfs arrival.

 

[jk13]

do Penrith have enough fullbacks for hooks liking?

 

[Pennies]

I would put up an argument for Wallace.

I wouldn't. His knees are gone now its time to retire.

I don't see Griffin as a long term appointment for Penrith. If you listen to Gould (unbearable I know), he credits Griffin for setting up Brisbane recent success by promoting and developing juniors.
I think he will do a similar role at Penrith enhancing & developing the careers of Jennings bros, DWZ, etc before being shafted by Gould for someone else who can take them to that next level.
Just a theory.

 

[Pennies]

And what happened to Brennan, thought he was the next big thing Gus?

That is a good question on Brennan.
I remember hearing several times from Gould's bullshit that he would like the next coach of Penrith to be promoted from within the club.

 

[Pennies]

Found Brennan's future.
Penrith return to training in late October with Garth Brennan appointed Griffin’s lead assistant.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...soward-on-notice/story-fni3gfvk-1227576855831

 

[BCH]

Griffin's biggest hurdle initially will be trying to figure out how to coach a team that doesn't get to play every Friday night and have consistent 7 day turn-arounds.

 

[MarkC]

That is a good question on Brennan.
I remember hearing several times from Gould's bullshit that he would like the next coach of Penrith to be promoted from within the club.

The problem I have with Gould is, he seems to change is mind frequently, and then tries to give the impression that he hasn't.

I am not a Panthers fan, but I do like them and they are an important part of the comp, so I would not like to see the club turn into a train wreck.

Gould seems to be a mixed blessing, he seems to get a lot of things right.

I just don't understand this move at this time ..... but who knows, it could work out to be a stroke of genius .

 

[Dazzat]

Griffin hasn't given Soward any guarantees that he'll be in the side next year.
When it was announced that Norman was leaving the club, I haven't ever been happier to hear it about a player. He is a tool. As for the comparison to Barba and Hoffman, I wouldn't have played them at 5/8th either, that's why Griffin is an idiot. I would have sooner moved Hodges to 5/8th for the year.

Either way it would've been a band aid solution until Milfs arrival.

Nice sidestep. Norman played very well for Parra this year, and Griffin would never play Hodges at 5/8.

No ... because of Griffin's lack of long term planning (he should get on with Phil Gould) we were stuck with the two worst 5/8 in history for an entire season - Hoffman who couldn't pass and couldn't kick, and Ben "Catch, Pass and Keep Smiling" Barba.

Griffin wouldn't even Nikorima a crack for one game.

 

[lynx000]

For those who think he is a good coach, you only need look at his Broncos record to see that this is not the case.

2011 - 3rd
2012 - 8th
2013 - 12th.

When you consider that the Broncos are the best resourced team in the competition with one of the best Junior catchment areas, they should always be competitive. Instead they got progressively worse under his coaching, to the point where they missed the finals for the first time in their history...

It's pretty clear that he is a bog average coach.

I reckon if you gave Cleary the same resource base to call on, he would absolutely nail it.

Hard to see the Panthers doing anything over the next three years except becoming progressively worse.

The only way I see them bucking the trend is if Griffin is just a patsy and Gould is really coaching the team behind the scenes. Can't see that happening though.

Hate to rain on your parade here champ by introducing a few facts, we failed to make the finals a number of times in the early years under Bennett. We failed to make the eight before Hook's appointment under Henjak. In the years following 2011 he was dealing with the loss of Lockyer, which for the broncos roster was akin to Newcastle losing Joey Johns. He had a significantly weaker roster than what the Broncos have traditionally had and three out of his four years his side made the eight, albeit, two of those in eight place as dead ducks.

By no means do I think he is a coaching genius, but he has the potential to be a good coach if he learns from some of the mistakes he did make at the broncos. He could be a good fit for Penrith. Time will tell.

 

[Rhyno]

:lol: going to be a long year for the panthers

 

[JJ]

And what happened to Brennan, thought he was the next big thing Gus?

Scary thing is, Rothfield was right all along. The 5 year plan is f**ked and Gus is an idiot.

Usually agree with you mate - but not so much here.

Brennan has been made 2IC? Surely that's good?

Rothfield is never right, and if anyone looks at Gould's career he's no idiot - from effectively being player coach at Souths to now, he's achieved more than most.

That said, I am puzzled by Griffin

 

[redvscotty]

Hate to rain on your parade here champ by introducing a few facts, we failed to make the finals a number of times in the early years under Bennett. We failed to make the eight before Hook's appointment under Henjak. In the years following 2011 he was dealing with the loss of Lockyer, which for the broncos roster was akin to Newcastle losing Joey Johns. He had a significantly weaker roster than what the Broncos have traditionally had and three out of his four years his side made the eight, albeit, two of those in eight place as dead ducks.

By no means do I think he is a coaching genius, but he has the potential to be a good coach if he learns from some of the mistakes he did make at the broncos. He could be a good fit for Penrith. Time will tell.

Settle down Anthony. You just scored a new, cream job and you're already this defensive?

 

[Ibleedblue]

Hook's strength is working with juniors as he has a lot of experience with young players which Penrith have at their disposal. I don't think Hook is that bad of a coach as he did coach us to the finals 3 times out of 4 and did bring out the best in Hunt, Copley and did blood some very good up and coming players that have gone on to have good careers. Coached 101 Broncos games for 54 wins which is a win rate of 53%

 

[Noname36]

I don't think Griffin is NEARLY as bad as people make out. I think he'll be fine as a coach there but that being said, i dont think he's a top 7 coach, and think it was a poor decision to sack Cleary

He's not terrible at all. The amount of players in that Broncos GF side that he had a hand in developing speaks for itself.

Saying that though I certainly think he's a step down on Cleary so the whole thing is really strange. Even if Cleary was already leaving then replacing him with Griffin seems so left of field. What happened to their 5 year plan? If they were following that then wouldn't someone like Brennan who Gus gloats about and knows their system be the logical option?

It goes to show that Gus is full of shit though. He gave it to Newcastle for not appointing Brennan over Brown but now when the Panthers have an opportunity to promote him they go for Griffin...

 

[Noname36]

Double