Panthers Team Round 1 2025

[South Coast Panther]

Predicted Round 1 Team barring injuries

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To'o
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Casey McClean
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Isaiah Papalli
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange
14. Jack Cole
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner

- Some mail floating around about injuries. Liam Henry has been mentioned, hopefully Luron Patea slots in if this is the case.
- Also some word that Brian To'o is in doubt. Jesse McClean to step up if this is the case
- Potentially a bit underdone in terms of match practice for a number of these players, but they should be well prepared and fresh

- Make the top 4 we will give it a big shake for 5 in a row

 

[Iamback]

Yeah this will be a bludger of a game just Round 1 last year was

 

[Panfa]

There is some mail going around that cole will partner cleary for rd 1.Talagi still not 100%

 

[Panfa]

The squad leave for vegas on Thursday hence no 1st grade players in the trial on Friday night

 

[Iamback]

There is some mail going around that cole will partner cleary for rd 1.Talagi still not 100%

Cole should anyway. Let Talagi ease into it

 

[Chins]

Garner will be hard done by to not get starting spot was our best backrower all last year. I'd personally be making Papalli earn the spot from the bench.

 

[Iamback]

Garner will be hard done by to not get starting spot was our best backrower all last year. I'd personally be making Papalli earn the spot from the bench.

Depends who is the 14. If the 14 can play centre then yes. If not Garner off the bench so he doesn't have to play 80

 

[Bred not Bought]

Depends who is the 14.

I heard Laurie. Edwards insurance apparently.

 

[Iamback]

I heard Laurie. Edwards insurance apparently.

Talagi can play 1 too. I guess depends on his fitness

 

[Black Panther]

Laurie is either the 1 or bust in my opinion. Very hard to get into the game unless injury occurs. That being said, if Edwards isn’t 100% don’t play him. Surely Casey can play 1 if anything happens, move Garner to Centre and Alamoti to Wing.
Cole should be the 14 if Talagi plays 6.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Garner will be hard done by to not get starting spot was our best backrower all last year. I'd personally be making Papalli earn the spot from the bench.

I don't disagree Chins. What about Laurie at 14 too ? Could be dangerous against tired forwards.

 

[Fangs]

Happy with any utility for round 1 depending on the injury cloud.

Long term it won't be Laurie though. He is a very good fullback. So good that if we lost Edwards (Touch wood) then I would feel highly optimistic about our chances of winning. Future ceiling for Laurie is starting fullback. He should just avoid the Tigers.

He just doesn't cover enough positions adequately. Lacks the frame to cover backrow which is what kills his chances.

 

[Chins]

I don't disagree Chins. What about Laurie at 14 too ? Could be dangerous against tired forwards.

Ivan has proven he really struggles to get a 14 into the game in any meaningful way.

 

[chrisD]

Yeah assuming that'll be the team. I haven't seen anything from Cole to have him at my 14, we'll see how things develop with that spot.

Sorensen will be a prop again, will be interesting to see how him and Henry go together in the middle, historically Sorenson was effective in the position but age may be catching up with him. My biggest question is how the defense holds up as far as controlling the ruck when we have Henry, Sorensen and Garner all on the field.

Talagi has a season to learn to defend, and he only has to be not terrible if he's worthwhile in attack. Don't be carrying on when his defence is shit for the first 10 games. If he's not showing improvement, then we have an issue.

 

[Iamback]

Yeah assuming that'll be the team. I haven't seen anything from Cole to have him at my 14, we'll see how things develop with that spot.

Sorensen will be a prop again, will be interesting to see how him and Henry go together in the middle, historically Sorenson was effective in the position but age may be catching up with him. My biggest question is how the defense holds up as far as controlling the ruck when we have Henry, Sorensen and Garner all on the field.

Talagi has a season to learn to defend, and he only has to be not terrible if he's worthwhile in attack. Don't be carrying on when his defence is shit for the first 10 games. If he's not showing improvement, then we have an issue.

I have been and still are in the start Henry and bench Moses.

Moses or Papalli off the bench fixes that issue up of losing ground when the bench is on

 

[Chins]

I have been and still are in the start Henry and bench Moses.

Moses or Papalli off the bench fixes that issue up of losing ground when the bench is on

And Garner has proven himself for us on the edge

 

[chrisD]

If it were up to me I'd have Martin coming off the bench at prop, Garner and Papalli starting edges and Sorensen off the bench to spell them. I don't know that Martin's best position is prop but I believe that's the best way to use the squad of forwards we have. But it's not up to me and we'll see how it goes.

 

[Chins]

If it were up to me I'd have Martin coming off the bench at prop, Garner and Papalli starting edges and Sorensen off the bench to spell them. I don't know that Martin's best position is prop but I believe that's the best way to use the squad of forwards we have. But it's not up to me and we'll see how it goes.

Marto is just a mad man. Its not like he runs great lines or sets up his centre. He'd be as effective in the middle

 

[Iamback]

And Garner has proven himself for us on the edge

We have a new left side half. Keeping some sort of stability makes sense

 

[Iamback]

If it were up to me I'd have Martin coming off the bench at prop, Garner and Papalli starting edges and Sorensen off the bench to spell them. I don't know that Martin's best position is prop but I believe that's the best way to use the squad of forwards we have. But it's not up to me and we'll see how it goes.

Me too but word is he doesn't want to move.