Panthers Vs. Dogs

[Caged Panther]

As bad as our lineup looks. When you match our backs against theirs, the only huge mismatch is Morris/Blair.

Hazem isn't going to outrun anyone and Elford is a solid defender. Idris isn't a speedster either and Cooper is a really solid defender.

Or maybe this cold is actually the swine flu and has me delirious. :shock:

Idirs is more agile than cooper most of coopers defensive issues as a centre come from the fact that he get's out manouvered and then doesn't have the spped to turn and chase.

 

[Sleep]

Idris is more a straight ahead guy though. He's got a good fend but not much in the way of footwork or speed. He could prove me wrong tonight but I think Cooper is cut out to minimise his damage. Idris is often alot bigger than his opposing man and that isn't the case tonight.

 

[mxlegend99]

Idris has a lot more speed then Cooper does IMO. Even though he's a big bloke, he's still pretty quick. Cooper would do a better job then Blair or Tighe at stopping him, but Shane Elford would be our best bet IMO.

 

[abpanther]

Idris looks pretty slow every time I watch him, but I'm sure he's faster than Cooper.

I hope JTK comes in

 

[Sleep]

Idris definitely isn't scorching the earth when he runs. He's probably quicker than Cooper but neither is going to make a break and outrun the cover defense.

I read today that JTK was on standby for Elford because of his back spasms. Knowing that, as long as Elford is sweet it'll be JTK that drops off the bench.

I'd imagine at some point Emilio will slot into the centres and Cooper will move into the backrow anyhow given Iosefa is on the bench.

 

[philgood]

You guys think Nathan Smith will play 80 mins like last week?

 

[mxlegend99]

Barring injury i think that Nathan Smith will play the entire 80 minutes, and Trent Waterhouse probably will do the same. Although it's hard to see exactly what Matt Elliott is thinking when you look at our bench:

Masada Iosefa > Hooker
Matt Bell > Front Row
Joseph Paulo > Back Row
Andrew Emilio > Centre

Assuming Matt Elliott isn't wanting to get technical with our subs, we will probably play Smith and Waterhouse for 80 minutes, with Paulo/Pritchard rotating. Bell, Grant and Puletua could rotate in the front row and average 60 minutes each, while Masada rotates with Blair and Emilio comes on to replace Blair as Elford did last week.

Although Andrew Emilio or Junior Tia Kilifi could be used to force a reshuffle mid-game and move one of our centres into the backrow, allow Waterhouse to have a break or move into the front row.

The only way i can see Smith coming off, is if Masada Iosefa subs on for him at lock when he comes on, and we keep both Aiton and Iosefa playing out of dummy half. IMO that would be the way to go. Although i don't rate Nathan Smith.

 

[mxlegend99]

Idris definitely isn't scorching the earth when he runs. He's probably quicker than Cooper but neither is going to make a break and outrun the cover defense.

I read today that JTK was on standby for Elford because of his back spasms. Knowing that, as long as Elford is sweet it'll be JTK that drops off the bench.

I'd imagine at some point Emilio will slot into the centres and Cooper will move into the backrow anyhow given Iosefa is on the bench.

Are you kidding? Elford in doubt also?

We could be missing:
1. Lachlan Coote > Injured
2. Michael Gordon > Injured
3. Michael Jennings > Origin, then ruled out through injury :crazy:
4. Geoff Daniela > Injured
5. Shane Elford > Injured
8. Adam Woolnough > Injured (removing depth to cover Petero)
10. Petero Civoniceva > Origin
13. Luke Lewis > Injured

It's beyond ridiculous. For the most part it's our better players getting injured.

 

[Sleep]

Elford has been limited in training this week to monitor his back. Once Emilio comes on he'll stay on I'd imagine. I can't see Blair getting a rest either. Cooper will just get moved into the back row to spell someone and will stay there.

 

[Kilkenny]

Cannot fault the effort. Very committed.

The execution on the other hand has not been great and we clearly should be in front by twelve plus on field position.

We have received one penalty from a high tackle while the Bulldogs have enjoyed the get out of jail card on three occasions for marker offside penalties. Cannot work it out. The inequality is unnbelievable.

 

[Fibroman]

Blair and Tighe need to lift otherwise we are done and dusted.

 

[*Sandy*]

They had a dig but Doggies just too good.

Looks like we might lose Elford too now.

 

[Caged Panther]

at least we don't have to play next week, hopefully that gives us the chance to get some troops back

 

[maple_69]

Yeah the guys put in and the result was expected really.
I thought the Hamburgler went alright, Tighe doesn't know how to defend as a winger and should be turfed although if Elford is out I don't know how many options we'll have.
Hopefully we get Daniela back and give JTK a go.
Elford, Jennings, Daniela, JTK
or Daniela, Jennings, Tighe, JTK

Interesting that we played the same way we did against the Broncos for the first half hour. A lot of ball movement and skittish play. You got the feeling if we weren't up against the Bulldogs (and maybe the Dragons) we would of sliced them apart. Really need a 12-0 start considering how dominant we started.

 

[murraymob]

is losing elford such a great loss.It should mean someone faster getting a run

 

[Fibroman]

I think Elford has been pretty solid for us this year.

Tonight:

Negatives - Blair let himself down. Didn't have a go. Sammut struggled. Tighe was dusty. Iosefa hasn't improved from last year. Paulo was pedestrian. Amelio got off to a good start but made same blues.

Positives - Aiton was very good. Walsh and Graham both good. Smith and Cooper both good. Bell solid.

Pritchard remains an enigma.

 

[murraymob]

if blackett was selected we would have won its that simple

 

[Fibroman]

I think Blackett has as much to offer as F Puletua and T Grant to be honest. He gets over the advantage line which is the main purpose of a front rower.

 

[murraymob]

frank pulutua has a bar code tattoo on his head and the use by date has passed .Offers very little.Time to introduce young talent

 

[The Mighty Panther]

I would consider that a good loss.

I fully expected Penrith to get lapped tonight. Instead, they gave it their best shot and had their chances to cause an upset. You can't help but think what could have transpired if we had the majority of our players back, especially Petero, Jennings, Lewis & Gordon.

Remember, the Bulldogs were at full strength minus Hannant. Jamal Idris was well contained I thought.

Smith annoyed me though. His dropped ball lead to the El Masri try in the 2nd half.